Rambutan
(Nephellium nappaceum Linn).
Sriana
Azis
Sapindacea
Synonyms
: Nephelium chryseum Blume, Nephelium
glabrum Cambess., Nephelium obovatum (Ridely), Nephelium sufferugineum Radlk
Vernacular names
Indonesia): rambat,, rambutan
jailan, rambutang, puru biawak, hahujam, kakapas, corogot, buluwan, balatung,
balatu, siban; (Malay): buah Abong, rambutan, rangalau; (Philippines):
rambutan, Usan; (Thailand): Ngoh, Ngoh paa, phruan Ngoh; (Vietnam): ch [oo] m
ch [oo] m, chom chom, saaw maaw, vai thi [ee] [uf], vai Thieu; (Khmer): saaw
maaw, ser mon; Mandarin): hooun mo Daon Shau Tsz, (English): ramboostan, rambutan, (France): lengkeng chevelu, (Germany):
Rambutan.
Trade
name: Rambutan.
Origin
and geographic distribution, Rambutan is native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
Rambutan trees grow naturally in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Southeast
Asia spread to India Africa. and Australia
Botany, it is a tree height approximately 15 - 20
meters, dense evergreen, with a round, solid low
and spreading crown
Leaves: single, oval, tapered
tip and base, flat edge, length 8-10
m, width 3 – 5 cm, pinnate shiny green. Flowers greenish-white, fragrant, very small, without petals, and
borne on axillary panicles. Fruits are rectangular, 3 to 5 cm long,
red to yellow,
Ecology. In Indonesia and
Malaysia are tropical climates. Rambutan is adapted to warm tropical climates,
around 22–30°, and is sensitive to temperatures below 10 °C. It is grown
commercially within 12–15° of the equator. The tree grows well on heights up to
500 metres above sea-level. In Indonesia, rambutan flowers from November to
February and again between and May to August, usually in response to rain
following a dry period.
Cultivars There
are well over 200 cultivars developed from selected clones available throughout
tropical Asia. They are easier
harvesting. In
Indonesia there are 22 rambutan cultivars identified with good quality. Five of
them are leading cultivars; Rambutan Rapiah, Rambutan Aceh, Lebak Bulus,
Rambutan Cimacan, Rambutan Binjai, and Rambutan Sinyonya
Constituents Seed
yield 40 – 48 % fat (soluble fatty acid), it is consist of palmitic,
2.0%; stearic, 13.8%; arachidic, 34.7%; oleic, 45.3%; and ericosenoic, 4.2%. Meat or pulp from the
fruit of f 7.8%
saccharose, dextrose 2.25%, 1.25% levulose, 35%
fat, 2% ash,
4% vitamin C.
Use the fruit is recommended as an anti dysentery
and warming carminative. In Indonesia : the fruit, root, or leaf decoction is
taken fever; the leaves are for dye; the barks are for dysentery, astringent
and after childbirth; the fruits are for food; the seeds for dysentery and
diabetes. In Indo China: it is used as an astringent and anti febrile, a
decoction is given to treat diarrhea and fever. Malay Peninsula: the root with several other plant parts in a decoction
is drunk a remedy for fever, the leaves
are place in bath, decoction of bark treat diseases on the tongue. In China, the fruit is
recommended for severe dysentery, and as a carminative
warm/cold dyspepsia.
Prospects Recent
research on pharmacological properties of rambutan: The extract of Rind, seed, leave and bark are producing high amount of phenolic
compound. The efficacy of the extract are as antioxidant/antibacteri, antivirus/antiherpes, cancer chemopreventive,
and anti obesitas (seed).
Preparation/jamu:
The leaves, rind and seed of
rambutan are drying and grinding. The doses this herbal is 5 – 15 grams 3 times
daily for treatment and make as a cup of coffee. Once daily for preventive.
Reference
- Hutapea J.R, Inventaris Tanaman Obat Indonesia III, Indonesia, Indonesian Ministry of Health, Institute National Health Research and Development, Jakarta, 1994, pages 161 – 162.
- Medicinal herb Index in Indonesia, Pt Eisai Indonesia, Jakarta, 1995, page 173
3.
Perry L.M., 1981, Medicinal Plant of
East and Southeast Asia, The Mitt Press Cambridge, Missachussets, page 374.
4.
Mulyatno K.J, Rambutan, www. malukunews.com
5.
Zao tsu, Philippines Alternative Medicines,
2012
