Medicinal Plants

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz

Kayu Lanang

Bignoniaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Oroxylum indicum (Kayu Lanang) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Oroxylum indicum (Kayu Lanang) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Oroxylum indicum (Kayu Lanang)

Summary

Kayu lanang (Oroxylum indicum) is a tree up to 10-20 meters tall of the Bignoniaceae family, native to the Indian subcontinent and China, distributed as far as the Philippines, Thailand, and throughout Indonesia. Its young leaves and flowers can be eaten as a vegetable, besides being planted as an ornamental in tropical areas. Kayu lanang is traditionally believed to relieve dysentery, cough, and ulcers.

Agroecology

Grows well in places with elevations of 500-900 m above sea level. Generally found in lowland forests, open areas and along roadsides. Prefers full sunlight.

Morphology

  • Stem woody, bark grayish-brown in color.
  • Leaves compound, pinnate, opposite, leaflets oblong-shaped. Upper surface dark green and glossy, tip of leaf pointed.
  • Flowers have pipe-shaped sepals, 2.5-3.75 cm long, funnel-shaped corolla, outside reddish-purple, inside yellow. Inflorescence type a raceme, at the tip of twigs. Consisting of 20-35 flowers, large and foul-smelling.
  • Fruit sword-shaped, brown in color.

Cultivation

Propagated generatively (seed).

Chemical Content

Alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, glycosides, sterol, saponin, phenol, quinones, baicalein-7-O-diglucoside (Oroxylin B), Baicalein-7-O-glucoside, chrysin, apigenin, scutellarein, tetuin, prunetin sitosterol, oroxindin, ellagic acid, biochanin-A, baicalein, 6,7-glucuronides, anthraquinone, and aloe-emodin.

Benefits

Remedy for dysentery, cough, ulcers, rheumatism, cholera, fever, boils, festering wounds, appetite booster, toothache and headache, blood builder, jaundice, addresses low libido.

Simplisia

Not yet available.

Local Names

Kayu pedang (Minahasa), Kapung-kapung (Palembang), Pongporang (Sunda), Bungli (Java).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Cough from Kayu Lanang

1. Cough

  • Wash 15 g kayu lanang leaves and slice them.
  • Boil with 2 glasses of water until boiling for 15 minutes, cool and strain.
  • Drink the strained liquid all at once, twice a day morning and evening.
Traditional recipe Addressing low libido from Kayu Lanang

2. Addressing low libido

  • Wash 10 g kayu lanang root thoroughly, then soak in 1 glass of hot water for 1 hour.
  • Drink the soaking water all at once before bed.
Traditional recipe Remedy for ulcers and stomach pain from Kayu Lanang

3. Remedy for ulcers and stomach pain

  • Wash 7 g kayu lanang bark thoroughly then pound finely.
  • Steep in 1 glass of hot water for 1 hour.
  • Once cool, drink the infusion twice a day.

Reference Sources

  1. Singh HV, Chaudhary AK. 2011. A review on the taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacology of Oroxylum indicum Vent. Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 73(5): 483–490.
  2. Das BK, Al-Amin MM, Russel SM, Kabir S, Bhattacherjee R, Hannan JMA. 2014. Phytochemical screening and evaluation of analgesic activity of Oroxylum indicum. Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 76(6): 571–575.
  3. Samatha T, Srinivas P, Shyamsundarachary R, Rajinikanth M, Swamy NR. 2012. Phtychemical analysis of seeds, stem bark and root of an endangered medical forest tree Oroxylum indicum (L) Kurz. Int. J. Pharm. Bio. Sci. 3(3): 1063-1075.