SEMBONG
Scientific name : Blumea balsamifera Common name : Sembong, Capa, Telinga kerbau Local name : Sembong Family : Acanthaceae
Introduction Sembong is one of herbal medicine approved by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH). The plant is a strongly aromatic and smell strongly of camphor. The roots should be taken from young plant, according to old folks, if roots taken after flowering, then it is tasteless. Blumea balsamifera is used as an herbal treatment for the common cold and as a diuretic In Philippines medicine, where is it most commonly known as sambong. It is also used in Thai and Chinese folk medicines.
Plant Description It is a small tree that can grow up to 4 m in height and imparts a strong camphorous odour around it. The bark is greyish brown, smooth while the wood is soft and white. The stem is an erect with a diameter range from 2- 8 cm. The leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate or with tapering base. The lower surface is densely hairy while the upper surface is rugose and pilose.
Plant habit The genus Blumea is found in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of Asia , especially the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Blumea balsamifera is one of its species that is used in Southeast Asia. A weed species that often grows on disturbed land, and in grasslands.
Plants Parts Used
Leaf and root.
Uses in traditional medicine
The Malays rely upon the warm, stimulating, and sudorific effects of medicines prepared from it. In Kelantan a decoction from roots is taken by women for menorrhagia. Boil with melastoma and mangosteen peel and is used in a bath for flatulence, and tenderness of the leg. Dried pounded leaves blown into horse nostril for cold (Ridley-Journal. Straights Med.Asocc. 5. 1897 page 126) In Sarawak, it is used in childbirth, it is one of the ingredient in ointment put on the fore head , or a lotion rubbed on the abdomen and as a decoction taken internally. In Indonesia it is used for heart disease Cholera, Bleeding nose, Malaria, Diabetes, Rheumatic, blood clot, and anti- inflammatory. Its expectorant properties make it as a popular recommendation to be taken in as tea to treat colds.