Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray

Daun insulin (Tithonia diversifolia) is an erect shrub 1.5-3 meters tall of the Asteraceae family, native to Mexico and now widely cultivated, from India and China to Indonesia. True to its name, its leaf extract is used as a complementary conventional treatment for diabetes mellitus patients in various countries. Communities also often grow it as a living hedge while using it to help stabilize blood pressure.

Generally grows wild on steep terrain, cliffs, and riverbanks. The insulin plant grows easily at elevations of 5-1,500 m above sea level, with an annual temperature of 15-31 °C and rainfall between 1,000-2,000 mm/year. Favors bright locations or direct sunlight.

• Roots taproot, fairly deep.
• Stem round, woody, and green.
• Leaves simple, alternately arranged on the stem. 26-32 cm long, 15-25 cm wide. Tip and base pointed, pinnate venation, green.
• Flowers compound, located at branch tips, round stalk, tubular calyx with fine hairs, green corolla, yellow stamens and pistil resembling a sunflower. 
• Fruit round, green when young.

Propagated generatively by seed, while vegetative propagation uses roots and stem or shoot cuttings, or new shoots that grow after pruning. Propagation by cuttings is easier than by seed.

Phenol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenoid lactones (caryophyllene, copaene, bicyclogermacrene, juniper camphor), saponins, tannins, tagitinin C, tirotundin, polyphenols, caffeic acid, ascorbic acid.

Treats diabetes mellitus; stabilizes blood pressure; antimalarial; treats liver ailments and sore throat; anticancer; controls cholesterol; aids weight loss.

• Select fresh insulin leaves. Remove any adhering debris. Wash and drain.
• Cut the leaves and place them on a tray, then sun-dry, covered with a thin dark cloth.
• Once dry, grind into a powder. Place in clean, tightly sealed, airtight plastic.

Rondo semoyo, Ki pait, Paitan, Kembang bulan (Java).