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Pandan

Pandanus tectorius Parkinson ex Du Roi

Pandan

Description

Pandan is an erect, branched small tree, growing 3 to 5 meters high; the trunk bearing many prop roots. Leaves are spirally crowded toward the ends of the branches, glaucous, linear lanceolate, slenderly long-acuminate, up to 1.5 meters long, 3 to 5 centimeters wide, the margins and midrib beneath towards the apex, armed with sharp spiny teeth that point toward the apex of the leaf. Male inflorescence is fragrant, pendulous, up to 0.5 meter long. Fruit is solitary, pendulous, ellipsoid to globose-ellipsoid, about 20 centimeters long, each composed of 50 to 75 or more, obovoid, angular, fibrous and fleshy drupes, 4 to 6 centimeters long, narrow below and truncate at the apex; the stone 4- to 10-celled, slightly sulcate between the cells of the apex, becoming yellow-red to bright red-orange at maturity.

Uses

  • Diuretic
  • Strengthens gums
  • Headache
  • Arthritis
  • Stomach spasms
  • Facilitate wound healing
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Cardiotonic
  • Urinary problems
  • Prevents spontaneous abortion 
  • stimulate urination
  • blennorrhea
  • boils
  • filarial diseases
  • leucorrhea
  • leprosy
  • smallpox
  • scabies
  • syphilis
  • leukoderma
  • emmenagogue
  • abnormal menstrual bleeding
  • jaundice
  • colic
  • restlessness
  • stomach cramps
  • alleviate vomiting.
  • induce sterility
  • blood sugar control
  • fever
  • burns
  • bad breath
  • gum pain

Plant Part Used

Leaves, flowers, and roots

Distribution

  • Native to the Philippines.
  • In thickets along seashores throughout the Philippines.
  • Also native to Bismarck Archipelago, Caroline Is., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Cook Is., Fiji, Gilbert Is., Hawaii, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New South Wales, Niue, Pitcairn Is., Queensland, Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Society Is., Solomon Is., Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wake I., Wallis-Futuna Is.




Preparation

  • Decoction of fresh or dried prop root drunk for diuretic effect - as far back as 1837, water from cuts made near the base of the trunk use to stimulate urination.
  • Headache, arthritis, stomach spasms: Decoction of leaves.
  • Poultice of fresh leaves mixed with oil also used for headaches.
  • Wound healing: Pulverized dried leaves used to facilitate wound healing.
  • Poultice of mash of cabbage of plant, mixed with salt and juice of Citrus microcarpa, for abscesses.
  • Decoction of roots believed to have aphrodisiac and cardiotonic properties.
  • Also used for arthritis and to prevent spontaneous abortion.
  • Chewing the roots strengthens the gums 
  • a spoonful of grated stem bark mixed with a small cup of grated coconut flesh used to induce sterility
  • roots used to make a drink to alleviate stomach cramps. Leaves used to alleviate vomiting
  • Leaves of plant triturated into a mash, slightly salted and added with juice of Citrus microcarpa,
    used as hot poultice for new boils
  • Decoction of roots combined with sap of banana plant for urethral injections for variety of urinary complaints
  • Decoction of aerial roots use as beverage for cases of blenorrhea
  • Pandan Herbal Tea (for blood sugar control, fever, and relaxation):
    1. Gather 3 to 5 fresh pandan leaves and tie them into a knot to make them easy to handle.
    2. Place the knot into a pot with about 2 to 3 cups of water.
    3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the water turns lightly green and fragrant.
    4. Remove the leaves, let the tea cool, and drink it warm or chilled.
  • Topical Crush or Paste (for minor burns, sunburns, and skin issues):
    1. Grind or crush dried or fresh pandan leaves into a fine texture or paste.
    2. Apply the crushed leaves directly to minor skin irritations, small burns, or affected areas
  • Fresh Leaf Chewing (for gum pain and bad breath):
    1. Wash a fresh pandan leaf thoroughly and chew on a small piece to help freshen breath or soothe minor mouth and gum discomfort

References

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