Medicinal Plants

Ayapana triplinervis (Vahl) R.M.King & H.Rob.

Prasman

Asteraceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Ayapana triplinervis (Prasman) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Ayapana triplinervis (Prasman) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Ayapana triplinervis (Prasman)

Summary

Prasman (Ayapana triplinervis) is a herb up to 1.5 meters tall of the Asteraceae family, native to Brazil and Suriname, now widely cultivated across Africa and Asia including Indonesia. Its leaves are steeped into spicy-flavored tea, while in India it is used as a traditional malaria remedy. Prasman also produces perfume oil and is believed to relieve diarrhea and bronchitis.

Agroecology

Prasman is easily found from lowlands up to elevations of 1,600 m above sea level. Widely planted in hilly areas and house yards. Tolerant of heavy shade.

Morphology

  • Root a taproot.
  • Stem hairy, reddish in color, young shoots whitish in color, jointed, branched.
  • Leaves single, opposite, lance-shaped, pointed leaf tip, tapering base, flat edges, smooth surface.
  • Flowers compound, tube-shaped, emerging from the stem tip. Has loose sepals consisting of five sepal leaves and purplish-green in color. Corolla star-shaped, small, white-haired, reddish-purple in color.
  • Fruit a follicle, oblong and narrow, 2 mm long, five-angled.

Cultivation

Propagated generatively (seed) as well as vegetatively (cuttings and offset separation).

Chemical Content

Steroid, alkaloid, saponin, tannin, coumarin, ayapanin, ayapin, thymohydroquinone, essential oil (selina, β-caryophyllene, gamma elemene).

Benefits

Treats diarrhea, influenza, bronchitis, constipation, irregular menstruation, asthma, colds, fever, infected wounds, scabies, canker sores, has antifungal, analgesic, anticoagulant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity.

Simplisia

  • Pick fresh, undamaged prasman leaves, wash thoroughly with running water and drain.
  • Arrange the leaves on a tray, air-dry the leaves for several days in the shade without direct sunlight exposure, until completely dry.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Local Names

Acerang, Daun panahan (Sumatra), Jukun prasman (Sunda), Godong prasman, Raja panah (Java).

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 Irregular menstruation from Prasman

1. Irregular menstruation

  • Prepare 25 g fresh leaves, wash thoroughly then rinse with boiled water. Pound until mashed. Steep with ¾ cup hot water, let stand for 15 minutes, then squeeze and strain, add 2 tsp honey, mix evenly.
  • Drink all at once.
Traditional recipe Treating wounds from Prasman

2. Treating wounds

  • Wash prasman leaves thoroughly as needed.
  • Grind into a paste.
  • Apply to the wound.

Reference Sources

  1. Asha IZ, Khan MIH, Mukharjee SK, Rony SR. 2017. Total phenolic content, cytotoxic, antioxidant, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities of Eupatorium ayapana Vent. IJPSI 6(8): 23-28.
  2. Lopes TRM, de Oliveira FR, Malheiros FF, de Andrade MA, Monteiro MC, Gonçalves ACB. 2015. Antimicrobial bioassay-guided fractionation of a methanol extract of Eupatorium triplinerve. Pharm Biol. 53(6): 897‐903.
  3. Prosea. 2016. Ayapana triplinervis (PROSEA). https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Ayapana_triplinervis_(PROSEA).  10-12-2019.
  4. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. 2014. Ayapana triplinervis. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ayapana+triplinervis . 21-05-2020.