Know the herbs

Scientific name

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob.

Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Local name

Kapal terbang (Kelantan, Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang), panca alam (Pahang), pokok jerman.

Description

Chromolaena odorata is a type of herb that grows vertically and climbs. The stem is cylindrical to square with longitudinal lines and grows vertically. The branches are always horizontally branched, pubescent or covered with soft hairs. The leaves are arranged oppositely, ovate, the leaf tip is almost acute, the leaf base is cuneate or truncate, the leaf margin is fibrous, pubescent to scabrid on both surfaces and denser on the lower surface especially on the veins. The flower clusters are clustered at the terminal or lateral, umbel or corymb type with multiple heads, pubescent, thick flower stalks. The involucre is cylindrical. The florets are white or pink, 20 florets per head, tubular. The fruit is an achene, black-brown with five longitudinal lines, the pappus is white.

Usage

Kapal terbang is used in women's internal health care, reducing acne, relieving swelling, relieving knee pain, treating backache, relieving flatulence (adults and children), treating worms, shingles, scabies, wounds, and internal wounds, relieving high fever, care for mothers after childbirth, bathing for mothers after childbirth, stove lining, controlling excessive postpartum bleeding, spacing pregnancies, improving menstrual blood circulation, massage oil, controlling blood glucose levels and blood pressure, and treating hemorrhoids.

Malaysia Herbal Monograph (source: Globinmed)