Medicinal Plants

Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels

Cermai

Phyllanthaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Phyllanthus acidus (Cermai) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Phyllanthus acidus (Cermai) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Phyllanthus acidus (Cermai)

Summary

Star gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus) is a tree up to 10 meters tall of the Phyllanthaceae family, originally native to Madagascar before spreading to Southern Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. Its tart fruit is commonly made into sweets or pickles, while the plant is also grown as a garden ornamental. In traditional medicine, star gooseberry is used to relieve coughs, canker sores, and various skin ailments.

Agroecology

Grows well up to an elevation of 1,800 m above sea level with an annual rainfall of 1,500-2,500 mm/year, and an optimum air temperature of 20-29 °C. Favors full sun or light shade.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot, light brown.
  • Trunk upright, woody, brittle, rough, monopodial branching, light brown.
  • Leaves compound, oblong, alternate, smooth margins, pointed tip, blunt base, pinnate venation, light green.
  • Flowers compound, round, light green, with pink petals.
  • Fruit round, ribbed surface, yellowish-white, juicy, and sour.
  • Seeds round and flat, light brown.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by air layering, budding). Seedlings should come from a good-quality, healthy parent plant with fresh green leaves, a sturdy trunk, and a leafy canopy.
  • Fruits about 3-5 years after planting.

Chemical Content

Saponins, tannins, polyphenols, quercetin, gallic acid, tanning agents, meso-hydrobenzoin, 2-ethylhexyl isonicotinate, squalene, ascorbic acid, lupeol, phyllanthusol, kaempferol.

Benefits

Treats alcohol addiction, cancer, asthma, constipation, canker sores, skin ailments, cough as an expectorant, headache; aids weight loss; acts as a laxative (purgative).

Simplisia

None yet

Local Names

Ceureumoe (Aceh), Cerme (Java), Careme (Madura, Sunda), Cermen (Bali), Caramele (Bugis), Sarume (Bugis), Ceremin (Ternate).

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 Asthma from Cermai

1. Asthma

  • Prepare 6 star gooseberry seeds, 2 shallots, ¼ handful of kara root (Dolichos lablab), 8 longan fruits (washed and coarsely crushed), ½ tsp sugar.
  • Boil all ingredients in 2 cups of water until reduced to 1½ cups, then let cool and strain.
  • Drink twice a day, ¾ cup each time, adding sugar if needed.
Traditional recipe Constipation from Cermai

2. Constipation

  • Mash 3 g of fresh leaves, steep in ½ cup of hot water, and let cool.
  • Drink all at once, including the sediment.

Reference Sources

  1. Rahman MdM, Habib MdR, Hasan SMR, Sayeed MA, Rana MdS. 2011. Anti bacterial, cytoxtoxic and antioxidant potential of methalonic extract of Phyllanthus acidus L. Int. J. Drug Dev. & Res. 3(2): 154-161.
  2. Widyaningrum H. 2011. Kitab Tanaman Obat Nusantara. Penerbit Media Pressindo, Yogyakarta.
  3. CCRC Farmasi UGM.Ceremai (Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels). https://ccrc.farmasi.ugm.ac.id/?page_id=116 12-06-2020.
  4. CABI. Invasive Species Compendium. Phillanthus acidus (Star gooseberry) https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/46048 09-12-2019.
  5. Prosea. Phyllanthus acidus. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Phyllanthus_acidus_(PROSEA) 10-12- 2019.