Plumbago zeylanica L.

Daun encok (Plumbago zeylanica) is a shrub up to 2 meters tall of the Plumbaginaceae family, native to Sri Lanka and spread to Indo-China and Southeast Asia. Although known to contain toxins, this plant is traditionally still used as an external medicine in India and Africa for skin problems. Daun encok is also believed to relieve headaches, rheumatism, and ringworm.

This plant requires all-day sunlight, media with a neutral pH. Commonly found in open areas such as savannas (grasslands), forest edges, and fields. Grows well up to elevations of 800 m above sea level.

• Root a taproot.
• Stem woody, round, smooth, ridged, and branched.
• Leaves green, incomplete, single, pinnate veins, flat edges, rounded tip, glossy smooth surface.
• Flowers white, 5 sepals, hairy flower stalk, purple stamens.
• Fruit small, oblong round, young fruit green, mature fruit black.

Propagated generatively using seed and vegetatively by cuttings.

Plumbagin, alkaloid, flavonoid, glucoside, saponin, steroid, tannin, polyphenol, anthraquinone, isoshinanolone, plumbagic acid, β-sitosterol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, trans-cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, 2, 5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone, indole-3-carboxaldehyde.

Remedy for headache, rheumatism, addresses ringworm, promotes urination, antifungal and antimicrobial, boosts appetite, aids digestion, snake bites, boils, leprosy, and hemorrhoids.

• Prepare fresh daun encok leaves.
• Wash thoroughly.
• Dry by air-drying or with an oven at 40 degrees.
• Once dry, grind into powder.

Other names for this plant include Bama (Bali), Ki encok (Sunda), Godong encok (Java), Kareka (Madura), Oporio (Timor).