Medicinal Plants

Tetracera indica (Christm. & Panz.) Merr.

Rempelas

Dilleniaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Tetracera indica (Rempelas) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Tetracera indica (Rempelas) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Tetracera indica (Rempelas)

Summary

Rempelas (Tetracera indica) is a climbing plant up to 5 meters long from the Dilleniaceae family that originates from Southeast Asia. Its rough-textured leaves are used as natural sandpaper to smooth wood and metal, while its young stems are used as binding rope. In Malaysia, rempelas root is traditionally used to lower high blood pressure and body temperature during fever.

Agroecology

The rempelas plant is widely found growing in tropical forests, thickets, and open forests at elevations from sea level up to 600 m asl.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot system.
  • Stem woody, round, rough surface with slight peeling, creeping growth direction (repens), not latex-producing.
  • Leaves single, dark green, jarong-shaped, rough surface with slight hairs, serrated margin (serratus), prominent secondary parallel veins, pointed base, tapering tip, slightly hairy petiole, alternate phyllotaxy.
  • Flowers have 3-5 sepals, 3-4 carpels and numerous stamens with pink tips forming pom-pom shapes (diameter 2.5-3 cm). Flowers in clusters of 4-7, emerging from long terminal stems 5-8 cm.
  • Fruit rough, round or oblong with a diameter of 0.8-1 cm, bright red, glossy.
  • Seeds ovate, wrapped in fleshy tissue (arils) that are red.

Cultivation

Propagation is done by seeds and separation of suckers or lateral shoots.

Chemical Content

Phenolic compounds—chloroacetic acid, phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy and pyrocatechol, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, myricetin, rhamnetin, isorhamnetin and azaleatin).

Benefits

Treats diabetes mellitus, lowers high blood pressure, addresses gout, itching, flu, wounds, gout, venomous snake bites, treatment of lung hemorrhage, mouthwash for treating canker sores, and treats pus-filled fingers.

Local Names

Supit kijang (South Sumatra).

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 Healing external wounds from Rempelas

1. Healing external wounds

  • Take rempelas leaves.
  • Burn until they become ash.
  • Sprinkle the resulting ash over the wound.
Traditional recipe Canker sores from Rempelas

2. Canker sores

  • Take fresh rempelas shoot leaves as needed and wash until clean.
  • Soak for some time.
  • Strain then gargle to relieve canker sores.

Reference Sources

  1. Useful Tropical Plant Database. 2021. Tetracera indica. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Tetracera+indica. 15-09-2021.
  2. Planter and Forester. 2019. Tanaman Gulma Berkhasiat Obat Tetracera indica. https://www.planterandforester.com/2019/04/tetracera-indica.html. 15-09-2021.
  3. Royal Botanical Garden. 2021. Plant of the World Online : Tetracera indica (Christm. & Panz.) Merr. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:317418-1. 15-09-2021.
  4. D. Ayustia. 2018. POTENSI EKSTRAK TIAP BAGIAN GULMA Tetracera indica (L.) Merr. SEBAGAI BIOHERBISIDA PRATUMBUH . Skripsi. DEPARTEMEN AGRONOMI DAN HORTIKULTURA FAKULTAS PERTANIAN INSTITUT PERTANIAN BOGOR. BOGOR. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330673731_POTENSI_EKSTRAK_TIAP_BAGIAN_GULMA_Tetracera_indica_L_Merr_SEBAGAI_BIOHERBISIDA_PRATUMBUH.
  5. Fitrya, Muharni, dan Maretha Kobaywan. 2012. Senyawa Fenolat dari Fraksi Etil Asetat Buah Tumbuhan Mempelas (Tetracera indica Merr.). Jurnal Penelitian Sains Volume 15 Nomor 3(C) Juli 2012 Program Studi Farmasi FMIPA Universitas Sriwijaya, Sumatera Selatan. Jurusan FMIPA Universitas Sriwijaya, Sumatera Selatan.https://www.neliti.com/id/publications/139098/senyawa-fenolat-dari-fraksi-etil-asetat-buah-tumbuhan-mempelas-tetracera-indica.