Is Coleus Amboinicus A Medicinal Plant?

Is Coleus Amboinicus a medicinal plant?

Coleus Amboinicus is a significant fragrant medicinal succulent plant with peculiar smelling leaves and short soft erect hairs. Coleus Amboinicus is a popular ornamental plant, mainly because of its evergreen foliage during winter.

The Coleus Amboinicus plant has a short and spirally arranged leaves. Coleus Amboinicus is a popular ornamental plant that is grown in gardens mostly in West Malaysia. Coleus Amboinicus belongs to the family of “Crassulaceae”. It belongs to the genus of “Coleus”.

The genus which includes a species of rosy-flowered cultivated plants. The species of Coleus Amboinicus does not have any other common name as other species within Crassulaceae family.

Many people attribute Coleus Amboinicus to a variety of health benefits. These benefits include strong mood stabilizing properties, anti-mutagenic effects, and various antioxidant activities in laboratory studies.

What is Coleus Amboinicus?

Coleus Amboinicus (Plectranthus Amboinicus) is a member of the mint family, not a coleus. It is referred to by a variety of common names, including Cuban oregano, country borage, and succulent spurflower.

This resilient plant thrives in practically every soil type as a ground cover and border plant in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. It also thrives as a potted plant. Additionally, its leaves have a strong aroma and flavor and are used as a culinary herb.

Because it is a succulent, stems and leaves are easily reproduced. Coleus Amboinicus is a succulent plant that has two distinct growth patterns and shapes: the rosette or stool like leaf shape and a thick and round stem. Coleus Amboinicus plants can stay green year round, but it does bloom in the winter for about five days.

Coleus Amboinicus is a prolific self-seeder, because of its self-propagating ability. A simple clipping of leaves typically produces several new plants.

Can we eat coleus Amboinicus?

Coleus Amboinicus is one of them. Some refer to it as cumin leaf. Torbangun leaves are slick and thick, with an oregano or mint aroma. This plant is ubiquitous and has been used regularly by some populations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America for therapy and dietary supplements.

Coleus Amboinicus leaves were used as a remedy for bacteria, allergies and asthma, rheumatic pain and muscle pains. Coleus Amboinicus is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and is used for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer purposes.

How do you grow coleus Amboinicus?

Coleus Amboinicus thrives best in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, likes partial shade, and can tolerate full shade in hotter growth zones. Provide around four to six hours of sunlight every day, ideally in the morning, to avoid sun burning the leaves in the afternoon sun.

Coleus Amboinicus needs at least 50 to 60 days to develop a root system before transplanting into the garden. A containerized plant can be moved as needed to maximize light and maintain cool conditions.

Coleus Amboinicus is in danger of leaf burn when placed in full sun, while it needs morning sunlight to grow and produce more leaves. Here are various ways you can provide proper lighting for your Coleus Amboinicus.

What is the use of coleus Amboinicus?

It is frequently used in folk medicine to cure colds, asthma, constipation, headaches, coughs, and fevers, as well as skin problems. The leaves of the plant are frequently consumed raw, utilized as flavoring agents, or integrated into traditional cuisine preparations. Coleus Amboinicus flowers are often used as a spice and fragrance.

Coleus Amboinicus is one of the popular ornamental plants and can be used as a medicinal herb. The leaves have been added to many food items in Malaysia such as outis, macaroni, scrambled and stir fried eggs, etc. The leaves and stems of coleus Amboinicus are crushed, and are being added to many bottled products for flavoring.

Is Coleus Amboinicus edible?

Coleus Amboinicus is a succulent perennial with fragrant leaves. It is frequently cultivated as a houseplant, but thrives outside in warm climates or throughout the summer. The leaves contain pungent oils that can be extracted and used in cooking.

Coleus Amboinicus is also known as Cuban Oregano, both in Puerto Rico and in Cuba. The leaves of this plant have a distinctive taste that differs from Oregano.

Coleus Amboinicus is familiar to the native of Malaysia and commonly used in cooking, especially in Kampong food. It is also known as “Lada Hitam” or black herb. The leaves are served as garnish in Minangkabau cuisine and eaten like salad or serve with spicy soups and curries.

What is the benefits of Coleus Amboinicus?

Coleus Amboinicus is used to treat gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and respiratory illnesses, as well as skin infections and discomfort. Malaria, cough, chronic asthma, bronchitis, colic, epilepsy, and hiccups are all treated with it in India.

Coleus Amboinicus is also used to treat indigestion, ulcers and vomiting, as well as kidney disorders. This herb is also highly recommended for people who have contracted diarrhea, dysentery and Malaria.

Despite the beneficial outcomes of using this herb many people use it for diabetes and blood pressure problems. However, many people use it from the first signs of illness without consulting a doctor before due to its high doses of thymol, carvacrol and other phenolic substances.

Side effects include mouth ulcers, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting immediately after eating large quantities of the herb. The use of any herbal supplement should be done under the supervision of a physician.

Is Coleus Amboinicus poisonous?

Coleus Amboinicus (Lour) Spreng is regarded safe because it did not produce fatality or unfavorable behavioral changes in mice. Coleus Amboinicus Plant will not cause any adverse effects or deaths if consumed by humans. Coleus Amboinicus can result in uncomfortable side effects such as rash and mouth ulcers in high doses.

Coleus, commonly known as Bang-Bang, is a plant with light purple flowers that grows mainly in the Malaysian peninsula and Sumatra. The young leaves of the plant are often eaten raw or steamed on a plate of rice, as well as utilized for seasoning meat or other dishes.

Is Coleus Amboinicus toxic to cats?

The Indian Borage plant’s leaves, stem, and roots produce an essential oil that is toxic to cats and other domestic animals such as horses and dogs. Coleus Amboinicus is toxic to cats if they are exposed to it. The toxicity of the leaves is due to its high content of thymol, carvacrol, and rosmarinic acid.

Coleus is not only toxic to cats and dogs, it is also a known irritant for humans. There are numerous reports of allergic reactions to Coleus plants in the form of skin rashes and itching caused by skin contact.

If you have come into contact with Coleus plants and is showing signs of an allergic reaction to it immediately seek medical attention or call your doctor or poison control center for information on how to treat the allergic reaction.

How do you care for coleus Amboinicus?

Coleus Amboinicus is a perennial plant that will die if you remove the flowers and buds of this plant. Coleus Amboinicus is known for its ability to grow in difficult conditions and it is commonly used as an indoor plant. The following are the factors to consider when caring Coleus Amboinicus;

Sunlight

Coleus Amboinicus need full sun for the best growth and flowering. Coleus Amboinicus prefers tropical climates with plenty of sunlight. If your Coleus Amboinicus plant does not receive enough sunlight, it will wilt and die.

Watering

When Coleus Amboinicus starts blooming, it has a much greater need for water as compared to when it is in its vegetative stage. The flowers also require more water than the leaves. Coleus Amboinicus requires regular watering after the first week of blooming.

If your Coleus Amboinicus plant becomes too wet, it will rot and die. If the plant does not have enough water, leaves will wilt and turn brown and drop off the plant.

Soil

Coleus Amboinicus needs a well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. When choosing a soil, look for one that has 4 parts of soil, 1 part sand and 1 part peat moss. Avoid using any soils that have a high pH because it can cause problems for your Coleus Amboinicus plant.

Temperature

The temperature required for Coleus Amboinicus is between 13 °C and 24 °C. This plant will not grow well in low temperatures or very high temperatures. If the temperature begins to decrease or rise above 24 °C, place your plant in a cool area (between 4 and 13 °C).

Humidity

Coleus Amboinicus likes humid environments. The ideal range of humidity is between 60 and 70% relative humidity. If your environment is too dry, you can provide additional humidity by placing your Coleus Amboinicus plant on a humidifier or in the bathroom where it receives steady hot water spray

Repotting

Coleus Amboinicus will grow large and in a pot that is large enough for the growth of it. Coleus Amboinicus prefer a soil that has good aeration, so repotting every 2–3 years is suggested.

Propagation

You can propagate Coleus Amboinicus by cuttings. Cuttings should be taken when the stems are at least 2 inches in length. Keep them in a moist environment with warm temperatures. The cuttings should root in 1 to 2 weeks. It is easy to take cuttings from Coleus Amboinicus because the stems are soft and flexible.

Pests and Diseases

Aphids and spider mites are the most common insect pests of Coleus Amboinicus. Signs of an Aphids or spider mites infestation include leaves that turn yellow (wilted), brown spotting, white specks on the surface of the plant leaves, and plant leaves that curl downwards due to aphid feeding.

Pruning

Prune Coleus Amboinicus in the spring time while it is in its vegetative stage. Pruning Coleus Amboinicus can help increase its flower production.

If your plant has a damaged or diseased part, remove the damaged part and dispose of it properly. If a disease is spreading throughout your plant, discard the entire plant and start with a new one.