·Botany
An erect, smooth and branched shrub
growing up to 3.5 meters in height. Leaves are opposite, oblong to broadly
ellliptic, 1o-20 cm long, purplish or green splotched with light Xyellow
or orange, narrow and pointed at both ends, with entire margins. Flowers
are large, generally of dark purple or reddish purple , about 4 cm long
and borne in terminal and erect racemes, 6 to 12 cm long. Corolla throat
is compressed.
Distribution
Widely planted as a hedge.
Occurring in two forms in the Philippines: Green leaves blotched in
white, the other, with dark purple leaves.
Parts
used
Leaves, juice.
Uses
Folkloric
• Leaves are applied to cuts.
• Juice squeezed into the ear for earaches.
• Leaves used as emollient poultice on ulcers on the hand.
• Juice use for certain skin complaints.
• Leaf infusion drunk for constipation.
• Reports of use as diuretic.
• In Java and the Moluccas, leaves are applied to swelliings.
• The mottled-leafed variety is pounded with coconut milk, used
to reduce swellings.
• In Java, decoction of flowers taken to promote menstruation.
• Leaves used as emollient and resolvent.
• Poultice of leaves used on breasts to relieve inflammatory obstruction
to the flow of milk.
• In Sabah, leaves
pounded in hot water are applied as paste for headaches.
Studies
• Antiinflammatory
/ Analgesic Effect. Study of the ethanol extract of
GP showed both an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Flavonoids
found in one of the fractions was assumed to be partly responsibgle
for the antiinflammatory effect.
• Anti Dental Plaque:
Study of G pictum extract on the growth of plaque on acrylic resin complete
denture showed inhibition of plaque growth, with highest growth inhibition
on 40% extract of PG.
• Oxytocic / Anti-Implantation:
Study of showed the ethanol extract of Graptophyllum pictum exhibited oxytocic activity comparable to oxytocin while the aqueous extract reduced the normal contraction of the uterine strip. Results support the use of the plant in folkloric medicine as a delivery aid and suggests a use as contraceptive.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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