Blumea viscosa (Asteraceae) Sticky Blumea

Quick Overview:

Blumea is primarily a Respiratory Expectorant and Anti-inflammatory Agent, most notably used to treat bronchitis, productive coughs, and asthma by helping to clear mucus from the airways. It is equally recognized for its topical application to reduce skin inflammation, swelling, and pain from wounds, burns, and arthritic joints.

Its secondary, key applications are as a Febrifuge (fever reducer) in malaria and infectious fevers, and as a Diuretic to promote urine flow and support kidney function.

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Blumea viscosa (Mill.) V.M. Badillo

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)

Genus: Blumea

Related Herbs from the same family:

· Eclipta alba (Bhringraj): The premier Ayurvedic herb for hair, liver, and skin health.

· Sphaeranthus indicus (Mundi): A key herb for neurological disorders, skin diseases, and digestive issues.

· Artemisia vulgaris (Nagadouna/Damanaka): Used for nervous disorders, fever, and menstrual pain.

· Blumea lacera (Kukkuradru): A closely related species used for digestive disorders and as an anthelmintic.

The genus Blumea belongs to the vast Asteraceae family, which contains numerous medicinally significant herbs, often characterized by aromatic properties and a wealth of bioactive sesquiterpenes and flavonoids.

2. Common Names:

Scientific Name: Blumea viscosa | English: Sticky Blumea, False Sphagneticola | Sanskrit: कुक्कुरद्रु (Kukkuradru), भृङ्गराज (Bhringaraj) - Note: Often confused with Eclipta alba in local parlance. | Hindi: कुकरौंदा (Kukraunda), चिरचिटा (Chirchita) | Tamil: நாய்வேளை (Nayvelai), காட்டுக்குருவி (Kattu Kuruvi) | Telugu: కుక్కరోగి (Kukkarogi), చేదు గడ్డ (Cheddu Gadda) | Kannada: ಹಂಬುಗೊರವಿ (Hambugoravi) | Malayalam: നായ്വേല (Nayvela), മുറിമുറിക്കം (Murimurikkam) | Marathi: रानमोगरा (Ranmogara) | Bengali: কুকুরমুতা (Kukurmuta) | Filipino: Alibhon, Sambong puti - Note: 'Sambong' typically refers to Blumea balsamifera. |

3. Medicinal Uses:

Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary (wound healing), Antipyretic (fever-reducing), Anthelmintic (de-worming), Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Antimicrobial.

Medicinal Parts:

The whole plant is used medicinally, but the leaves are most common.

· Whole Plant: Used for decoctions and extracts.

· Leaves: Used fresh for poultices or dried for teas.

· Roots: Occasionally used in traditional preparations.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

Flavonoids (Quercetin, Luteolin, Patuletin): Provide strong Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Vulnerary (wound healing) actions. Patuletin has specific anti-inflammatory activity.

Sesquiterpene Lactones (Blumealactones): Characteristic of the Blumea genus, these compounds contribute to Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and potential Antiparasitic effects.

Triterpenoids (β-Amyrin, Friedelin): Known for their Anti-inflammatory and Wound Healing properties, helping to promote tissue repair.

Essential Oils (containing Thymol, Carvacrol): Impart Antimicrobial and Antispasmodic actions.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Vrana Ropana (Wound Healing) & Dushta Vrana (Chronic Ulcers)

Formulation: Fresh leaf poultice or juice.

Preparation & Use: The fresh leaves are crushed into a paste or their juice is extracted and applied directly to cuts, wounds, boils, and chronic, non-healing ulcers to cleanse, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing.

Reasoning: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial phytochemicals prevent infection and reduce swelling, while the vulnerary compounds stimulate granulation tissue formation.

Jwara (Fever) & Krimi (Intestinal Worms)

Formulation: Whole plant decoction.

Preparation & Use: A decoction of the plant is administered to reduce fevers, especially in children. It is also used as a traditional anthelmintic to expel intestinal parasites.

Reasoning: The antipyretic properties help lower body temperature, while sesquiterpene lactones and essential oils are toxic to intestinal worms.

Mutrakrichra (Dysuria) & Shotha (Edema)

Formulation: Leaf infusion or decoction.

Preparation & Use: The plant is used as a diuretic to increase urine output, relieve painful urination, and reduce edema (swelling) in the body.

Reasoning: The diuretic action helps flush the kidneys and urinary tract, reducing fluid retention and removing irritants.

Kasa (Cough) & Shvasa (Asthma)

Formulation: Leaf juice with honey or decoction.

Preparation & Use: The fresh leaf juice mixed with honey, or a warm decoction, is given to relieve cough and asthmatic symptoms, acting as an antispasmodic for the bronchial tubes.

Reasoning: The antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties help relax bronchial muscles and soothe airway irritation.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

It is not a culinary herb. Its use is strictly medicinal.

Wound-Healing Poultice

Purpose: For fresh cuts, abrasions, or boils.

Preparation & Use:

1. Crush a handful of fresh, clean Blumea viscosa leaves into a fine paste.

2. Apply directly to the cleaned wound.

3. Cover with a clean cloth and secure. Change the poultice twice daily.

Febrifuge & Anthelmintic Decoction

Purpose: For fever and de-worming (traditional use).

Preparation & Use:

1. Take 10-15 grams of the dried whole plant.

2. Boil in 2 cups of water until it reduces to 1 cup.

3. Strain and give 1-2 tablespoons to adults. This is a strong preparation; use with caution and professional guidance, especially for children.

7. Disclaimer:

Blumea viscosa is a traditional medicinal plant with limited modern clinical safety data. Internal use should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner. It may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals when used topically. Due to its potential diuretic and anthelmintic effects, it is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. This information is for ethnobotanical and academic purposes only and is not a recommendation for self-treatment.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

· Indian Medicinal Plants by K.S. Manilal

· Ethnobotany of India Series (Volumes on South India)

· Wealth of India (Raw Materials) by CSIR

· Philippine Medicinal Plants (for regional uses)

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties

1. Eclipta alba (Bhringraj)

· Species: Eclipta alba | Family: Asteraceae | Genus: Eclipta

· Similarities: Both are sticky, procumbent herbs in the Asteraceae family with a strong reputation for wound healing and hair/skin health. They are often confused locally. Bhringraj is more extensively documented in Ayurveda as a Rasayana (rejuvenative), especially for the liver and hair.

2. Blumea balsamifera (Sambong)

· Species: Blumea balsamifera | Family: Asteraceae | Genus: Blumea

· Similarities: A close relative and one of the most important medicinal Blumea species, officially recognized in the Philippines for kidney stones and as a diuretic. Both share anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and vulnerary properties, showcasing the medicinal potential of this genus.

3. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola, Mandukaparni)

· Species: Centella asiatica | Family: Apiaceae | Genus: Centella

· Similarities: Both are creeping herbs renowned for wound healing and skin repair. While Gotu Kola is a premier Medhya Rasayana (brain tonic) and contains triterpenoids (asiaticosides) for collagen synthesis, Blumea viscosa represents a more topical, anti-inflammatory approach within a different plant family.

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