Pithecellobium Jiringa: A Traditional Medicinal Herb

Pithecellobium jiringa (Jack) Prain is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family of Legumnasea originated from the Southeast Asia. P. jiringa is locally known as “jering”, as well as “djengkol” in Indonesia. This plant is a kind of raw vegetable which is normally consumed with rice. P. jiringa is traditionally used to induce urination in which the seeds are crushed and mixed with water before drinking. Old folk has also been using its pounded leaves and bark for chest pains, skin ailments, gum pains and toothache. In the present day, P. jiringa is also being used in the production of organic pesticide as a replacement for synthetic pesticide; since the plant contains djenkolic acid that are able to kill and inhibit pests. In addition, the presence of the acid has also been suggested to cause tearing of renal tissue due to their formation of needle-like crystals. Methanolic extract of P. jiringa was found to inhibit the EBV activation by 30% which underlining P. jiringa in restraining cancer cells. P. jiringa was reported to cause djenkolism or poisoning of jering following intake of its beans and was shown to be a likely cause of acute anuric renal failure.