Melastoma malabathricum

Scientific name:  Melastoma malabathricum L.

Common name:  Singapore rhododendron

Local name:  Senduduk

Family:  Melastoma

Melastoma malabathricum or senduduk has been classified as a weed and can be seen growing wildly in abandoned or wastelands.  This so-called ‘weed’ has been used extensively in traditional medicine both locally and abroad.

It has been found to be especially useful in treating both internal and external wounds.  It has also been popularly used by the women folks following childbirth to strengthen the womb and accelerate healing.

The leaves and shoots are traditionally eaten to cure diarrhea.  In Malaysia, paste made from senduduk leaves and roots are used to prevent scars from scurf or smallpox.  A decoction of the roots is used to relieve toothaches, to soften the feet and to eliminate flatulence.

A decoction prepared from a mixture of senduduk leaves, vinegar, ginger and bonglai, is used for treating leucorrhea; in another prescription, sugar instead of vinegar is added to the mixture.  A paste made from the senduduk shoots is used for treating puerperal infections.  The vegetative parts are astringent.

The leaves and shoot ends, alone or with mangosteen bark or fruit husks, are prepared as decoction for treating diarrhea.  The powdered leaves are used for treating dysentery, wounds and as a tonic.

Patchouli

Pogostemon cabli

Common name:  Patchouli

Local name: Nilam

Family:  Lamiaceae

This plant is indigenous to Philippines.  It was introduced and cultivated for its essential oil in Malay Peninsular in 1980’s.  Patchouli is a cultivated species and is grown on plantations in Malaysia.  It is rarely found in the wild.

The plant is used as a gargle for weak and spongy gums, pyrrohoea and halitosis.  Internally, it acts as an aromatic stomachic and carminative with astringent properties and is useful in treating anorexia, chronic dyspepsia, flatulence, gonorrhoea, chronic bronchitis, cardiac dropsy, gangrene of the lungs and phthisis.  It is also used as an expectorant, diuretic and disinfectant for the genito-urinary mucous membrane.  In Malaysia, a decoction prepared from roots is used for treating dropsy whilst tat of the leaves is taken for coughs and asthma.  The leaves are made into poultices for boils, headache, jaundice and bilious fevers.  A lotion from the roots is used for rheumatism.

The oil from this leaves is generally blended with other essential oils, for example, with those of geranium or clove before use.  It is used in a wide range of toiletry products such as toilet soaps, scents, body lotions, pre-shave, after-shave lotions and detergents.



Ocimum sanctum

Common name:  Holy basil/Sacred basil

Local name: Kemangi

Family: Lamiacease/Labiatae

A decoction of kemangi leaves and roots is a specific remedy for gonorrhea and acts as a diaphoretic for malarial fevers.  It is a good remedy for coughs, anorexia, chronic dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, acute and chronic bronchitis.



Tea tree



Melaleuca alternifolia

Common/Local Name:  Tea tree

Family Myrtaceae

Uses in traditional medicine

Tea tree oil is used as a natural remedy or bacterial and fungal infections of the skin and mucosa.  It is used as an antiseptic agent.  The aborigine tribes in Australia have used it for thousands of years as a healing plant, crushing the leaves into mudpacks to treat cut and skin infections.  As early as 1923, clinical trials in Australia began to provide scientific evidence for tea tree’s antiseptic and bacterial properties.  It was used in first aid kits in the Australian army and navy in World War II.