Medicinal Plants

Saurauia bracteosa DC.

Pirdot

Actinidiaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Saurauia bracteosa (Pirdot) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Saurauia bracteosa (Pirdot) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Saurauia bracteosa (Pirdot)

Summary

Pirdot (Saurauia bracteosa) is an endemic tree 3-15 meters tall of the Actinidiaceae family, distributed across the mountain zones of Java, Sumatra, and Southwest Sulawesi, with a specific distribution in Simalungun through to South Tapanuli. The Batak people have traditionally used this plant to treat cut wounds in both humans and livestock. Pirdot is also believed to help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Agroecology

Pirdot is commonly found in open places, rainforests, along rivers,near waterfalls, in moist and wet places at elevations of 600-1,200 m above sea level. Grows in shaded places, sandy soil, humus-rich, and clay soil. 

Morphology

  • Stem brown in color, easily broken.
  • Leaves oblong-elliptical shaped, pinnate venation. Serrated edges, tapering at the tip and round at the base. Upper surface green and the underside brownish. Young leaf surface hairy, but hairless when mature.
  • Flowers have a petal split at the tip, white, fused at the base. Calyx shorter than the petals. Yellow stamens, numbering 30–50.
  • Fruit round like a marble, dark green when young, hairy, mucilaginous.
  • Seeds irregularly round, small, brown.

Cultivation

Propagated vegetatively (tip and stem cuttings) and generatively (seed). 

Chemical Content

Pentacyclic triterpenoid, oleanolic acid,phenolic compounds, flavonoid, saponin, alkaloid, anthraquinones, steroid, tannin, coumarins, essential oil. 

Benefits

Has antibacterial, antioxidant activity, treats gout, cancer, scabies, lowers high blood pressure, lowers blood sugar levels, treats cut wounds (humans and livestock), reduces neck tension, boosts stamina. 

Simplisia

  • Select fresh and healthy leaves. Wash thoroughly with running water and let wilt at room temperature for up to 1 day.
  • Arrange the leaves on a tray, cover with black cloth, dry in the sun for 1 day then dry with an oven at 60 ºC for 2-4 hours.
  • Grind the dried leaves into powder.
  • Store in a closed, airtight container. 

Local Names

Ki leho (Sunda), Lotrok (Java), Soyogik (Manado).

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 Lowering Blood Sugar Levels from Pirdot

1. Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

  • Dry 7 leaves first.
  • Boil the dried pirdot leaves in a container with 3 glasses of water until only 1 glass of water remains, cool.
  • Drink twice a day, morning and evening.

Reference Sources

  1. Ali C, Aminah A. 2017. Perkembangan bunga dan buah Pirdot (Saurauia bracteosa DC.) Di Arboretum Aek Nauli. Jurnal Penelitian Hutan Tanaman 14(2): 103-114.
  2. Kadji, Miranty H, Runtuwene MRJ, Citraningtyas G. 2013. Uji Fitokimia dan aktivitas antioksidan dari ekstrak etanol daun Soyogik (Saurauia bracteosa DC). PHARMACON Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi –UNSRAT 2(2).
  3. Kementrian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Republik Indonesia. 2019. Pirdosol herbal Pirdot anti diabetes produk Balitbang LHK Aek Nauli.  https://www.menlhk.go.id/index.php  23-12-1019
  4. Lisi AKF, Runtuwene MRJ, Wewengkang DS. 2017. Uji fitokimia dan aktivitas antioksidan dari ekstrak methanol bunga Soyogik (Saurauia bracteosa DC.). PHARMACON Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi 6(1):53-61.
  5. Situmeang Boima, Suparman AR, Kadarusman M, Parumbak AS, Herlina T. 2018. Isolasi senyawa triterpenoid dari ekstrak etil asetat Pirdot (Saurauia vulcani. Kurth). Jurnal Kimia VALENSI: Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengembangan Ilm u Kimia 4(2): 93-97.