Medicinal Plants

Sicyos edulis Jacq.

Labu Siam

Cucurbitaceae

Location in the garden Vegetable
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Sicyos edulis (Labu Siam) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Sicyos edulis (Labu Siam) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Sicyos edulis (Labu Siam)

Summary

Chayote (Sicyos edulis) is a vine up to 9-30 meters long of the Cucurbitaceae family, cultivated by the Aztecs as a vegetable since the pre-Columbian era in Central America. Its stem fiber is used to make baskets and hats, while its fruit is a popular vegetable in the Indonesian archipelago. Chayote is also believed to be anticholesterol and to help lower high blood pressure.

Agroecology

Grows well in highlands at elevations of 300-2,000 m above sea level. In Java it grows in highlands between 700-1,800 m above sea level. Requires relatively high humidity (80-85%), minimum annual rainfall of 1,500-2,000 mm, average temperature 20-25ºC (limit 12-28ºC). Prefers loose, sandy soil, rich in organic matter.

Morphology

  • Root whitish-brown in color, a taproot, many-branched.
  • Tuber starchy. Stem many-branched and has tendrils.
  • Leaves triangle-like shape, rough surface, green in color.
  • Flowers compound, emerging from leaf axils, greenish or cream-colored.
  • Fruit hangs on a stalk, oblong with a grooved surface, green in color.

Cultivation

Seedlings are taken from mature fruit then stored in a moist place, once shoots 30 cm long grow they are transplanted to the field.

Chemical Content

Flavonoid, phenolic, carotenoid, tannin, alkaloid, sterols, saponin, triterpene, fatty acid, cinnamic acid.

Benefits

Anticholesterol, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiepileptic, central nervous system suppressant, lowers high blood pressure, has diuretic and hypoglycemic effects, treats canker sores, internal heat, fever in children.

Simplisia

  • The chayote fruit raw material is peeled, washed, sliced thinly, air-dried for 12 hours.
  • Dry in an oven for 3 days at 55°C. The dried material is ground using a blender into powder.
  • Store the material in a clean, airtight container, at room temperature.

Local Names

Known by local names Labu siem (Sumatra), Labu jipang (Central Java), Manisah (East Java), Waluh siam (West Java), Ketimun jepang (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 Remedy for boils from Labu Siam

1. Remedy for boils

  • Take chayote leaves as needed then wash thoroughly.
  • Roast the leaves over a fire until slightly wilted.
  • Apply to the affected area.

Reference Sources

  1. Aziz N. 2008. Komplementer, Terapi jus untuk menurunkan tekanan darah tinggi (hipertensi). https://www.academia.edu/30503948/KOMPLEMENTER
  2. Díaz-de-Cerio E, Verardo V, Fernández-Gutiérrez A, Gómez-Caravaca AM. 2019. New insight into phenolic composition of chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.). Food chemistry 295: 514-519.
  3. Fidrianny I, Ayu D, Hartati R. 2015. Antioxidant capacities, phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid content of various polarities extracts from three organs of Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research 7(5): 914-920.
  4. Lukiati B, Maslikah SI, Nugrahaningsih N. 2016. Potensi ekstrak etanol Labu Siam (Sechium edule) untuk perbaikan kerusakan sel beta pankreas dan kadar nitrogen oksida pada tikus yang mengalami diabetes melitus. Jurnal Kedokteran Hewan. 10(1): 24-27.
  5. Porsea.2016. Sechium edule. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Sechium_edule_(PROSEA)
  6. Rosidah I, Zainuddin Z, Mufidah R, Bahua H, Saprudin M. 2017. Optimasi kondisi ekstraksi senyawa total fenolik buah Labu Siam (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.) menggunakan response surface methodology. Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan. 27(2): 79-88.
  7. Salazar-Aguilar S, Ruiz-Posadas LDM, Cadena-Iñiguez J, Soto-Hernández M, Santiago-Osorio E, Aguiñiga-Sánchez I, Aguirre-Medina JF. 2017. Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, a new cultivar with antiproliferative potential in a human cervical cancer HeLa cell line. Nutrients 9(8): 798-813.
  8. Siciliano T, De Tommasi N, Morelli I, Braca A. 2004. Study of flavonoids of Sechium edule (Jacq) Swartz (Cucurbitaceae) different edible organs by liquid chromatography photodiode array mass spectrometry. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 52(21): 6510-6515.