Chromolaena Odorata Medicinal Uses To Wound Healing

Not many people know about the health benefits of Chromolaena Odorata medicinal uses, and how to process it into an herb. This plant is a species of flowering shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Other names are Siam weed, Christmas Bush, Devil Weed, Camfhur Grass, Common Floss Flower, and Triffid.

This plant also includes one of the sunflower family. The development of plants originated from North America to Mexico and the Caribbean. This plant is also known to South America, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and parts of Australia. The history of plant spread began in the nineteenth century. Chromolaena Odorata was brought out of the forest in Java, Dacca, and Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Chromolaena Odorata was accidentally introduced as an ornamental plant in South Africa. The people in Ivory Coast in 1952 used the Chromolaena Odorata recipe to control the grass of alang-alang.

Chromolaena Odorata Medicinal Uses

Chromolaena Odorata is one of the Asteraceae family. We can mark the shape of the plant, making it easier if found around us. Here are the characteristics of the plant:

1. The leaves are oval, the bottom is wider, the tip of the leaf is more pointed. Leaf length 6 to 10 cm and leaf width 3 to 6 cm. And the edge of the leaves is serrated, facing the base and located opposite.
2. Flowers grow at the end of the branch, and each flower arrangement consists of 20 to 35 flowers. The color of the flowers at the time of youth appears bluish, the older becomes brown. Flowering time simultaneously in the dry season for 3 to 4 weeks.
3. The characteristics of Chromolaena Odorata seeds are seen when the seeds are cooked, then the plants will dry and then the seeds break and fly in the wind. A month later, pieces of stems, branches and base of stems will sprout again.

The spread of the plant is usually through the seeds that fall to the ground, then germinate within two months. The development of Chromolaena Odorata as a weed is considered to be highly disruptive and most invasive, dominating the agricultural area. This plant forms a dense community with a density of up to 36 mature plants and 1300 sprouts per m2. And every adult plant produces about 80,000 seeds each season. It's not hard to find these weeds, usually easily found in yards, old buildings, and farmland.

During this time, Chromolaena Odorata medicinal uses to treat external wounds such as incisions. Many stories mention the benefits of Chromolaena Odorata more than that. Among them to treat rheumatic diseases, leukemia, cyst treatment, prevent cancer serfiks, Anti diabetes, and overcome vertigo. They also recommend for treatment of heartburn, healthy heart, lower cholesterol, gout, Anti-hypertension, prevent breast cancer, treat headaches, natural ingredients diet, and treat cardiovascular diseases. But do not believe that the information to cure the disease is all true. Because Chromolaena Odorata has been used in the manufacture of organic pesticides to eradicate plant pests.

Benefits Chromolaena Odorata medicinal uses as traditional herbs in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and parts of Africa including Nigeria. According to the study, Chromolaena odorata has a powerful induser for regulating various genes with defensive, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying functions. This plant has antifungal and antibacterial properties, and the traditional remedies commonly used in Chromolaena Odorata recipes are as follows:

Take the young leaves of Chromolaena Odorata, then milled. This herb is used for the treatment of external wounds, including cuts incision, rash, and as a mosquito coil.

Chromolaena Odorata plant contains Carcinogenic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. These plants are poisonous to livestock and humans, can also cause allergic reactions. If we find a recommendation for making herbal drinks or eaten made from Chromolaena Odorata, we recommend studying the risks of toxins.

What is Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids? Is a hepatotoxic unsaturated compound that can damage the liver. This compound also causes Veno-Occlusive liver disease and liver cancer, is Tumorigenic or causes tumors. It is not advisable to eat or drink Chromolaena Odorata herbs, preferably to treat external wounds.

Reference

• Prawiradiputra, publikasi tahun 1985. Yadav dan Tripathi, publikasi 1981.
• Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, 2006. 
• Identification of Chromomoric Acid C-I as an Nrf2 Activator in Chromolaena odorata. Publish by Journal Nature, 29 Jan 2014.
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids-tumorigenic components in Chinese herbal medicines and dietary supplements. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, 2002.
• Chromolaena odorata, image courtesy of Wikimedia commons.