Pluchea indica - The Cooling Leaf for Pain and Fever Introd

Pluchea indica - The Cooling Leaf for Pain and Fever

Introduction

In many parts of Northern Vietnam, Pluchea indica is a familiar presence in home gardens and village fences. Its leaves are used in everyday remedies from steam baths to herbal compresses to reduce fever, relieve pain, and support postpartum recovery. For generations, the plant has remained part of practical family medicine, valued not for symbolism but for its clear, observable effects on comfort and healing.

Botanical and cultural background

Pluchea indica (L.) belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a perennial shrub that thrives in warm, humid climates typical of Northern and Central Vietnam, particularly in provinces such as Hà Nam, Ninh Bình, Thái Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, and Quảng Bình. The plant favors moist soils along rivers, ponds, and rice field margins, and can also be found growing wild on roadsides and village boundaries. Pluchea indica usually grows 1–3 meters tall, with oval, serrated leaves and small purple to pink flower heads that appear from August to December. Harvesting typically takes place during the late rainy season, when the leaves and stems contain the highest concentration of essential oils and flavonoids.

Traditionally, it is propagated through stem cuttings and cultivated around homes as a living fence for both protection and ready access to fresh leaves for medicine. The plant is valued for its fast growth, ease of maintenance, and resilience to drought, making it suitable for small household gardens.

Pluchea indica holds an important place in the traditional medicine of Kinh, Tày, and Mường communities in Northern Vietnam. Among these groups, the leaves are commonly used for steam baths to relieve colds, fevers, and postpartum fatigue, often combined with Artemisia vulgaris and Cymbopogon citratus. In some regions, decoctions made from Pluchea indica leaves are also used as analgesics and anti-inflammatory treatments for rheumatism or back pain. Beyond its medicinal uses, the plant is also intertwined with local customs of cleansing and protection: its aromatic steam baths are believed to drive away “cold wind” and restore bodily balance after illness or childbirth. 

Folk uses and preparation methods

Treatment for tension-related headaches and mental fatigue

50 g of Pluchea indica leaves, 50 g of Chrysanthemum indicum flowers (torn into small pieces), 100 g of semi-ripe papaya, and 100 g of pig brain are boiled together in 1 liter of water; after the mixture reaches a boil, the pig brain is added and simmered for about 20 minutes until tender. The decoction is consumed hot, twice daily before meals, for one week.

Treatment for cough caused by bronchitis

A porridge is prepared using 20 g of mature Pluchea indica leaves (cleaned and finely chopped), two handfuls of rice, 3 g of fresh ginger (sliced), and 50 g of minced lean pork. All ingredients are simmered together until well cooked. The porridge is eaten hot on an empty stomach, three times daily for three consecutive days, to alleviate coughs associated with bronchial inflammation.

Treatment for urinary retention

A decoction is made from 40 g of dried Pluchea indica leaves, or alternatively 100 g of fresh leaves if dried material is unavailable. The leaves are thoroughly washed and boiled in water. The resulting herbal water can be consumed throughout the day in place of drinking water. This is used to promote diuresis and support kidney function.

Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Properties

Phytochemical analyses have revealed that the plant is rich in flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic acids — compounds known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Among these, major constituents such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, quercetin, caffeic acid, and plucheoside A have been identified as key contributors to its biological activity.

Extracts from P. indica leaves have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties through inhibition of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophage models. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts have shown strong free-radical scavenging activity comparable to that of ascorbic acid, supporting its traditional use in relieving headaches and fatigue.

The plant also exhibits notable antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Studies have reported that leaf and root extracts inhibit the growth of common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. This aligns with folk practices using cúc tần leaves in steam baths and poultices to prevent infections and promote wound healing.

Additionally, P. indica possesses hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and diuretic effects. Animal model experiments have indicated that aqueous extracts can reduce blood glucose levels and enhance renal function, consistent with traditional applications in treating urinary retention and metabolic disorders. 

Modern science and research

Advanced chromatographic and spectrometric techniques such as GC–MS, HPLC, and LC–MS/MS have identified more than 80 bioactive constituents in different parts of the plant, including flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin), phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), sterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), and terpenoids. These compounds are known for their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which form the pharmacological basis for the plant’s therapeutic applications.

In Vietnam, contemporary research institutions such as the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Hanoi University of Pharmacy have conducted investigations into optimizing extraction processes, identifying major bioactive compounds, and testing their pharmacodynamics. Collaborative studies have also begun integrating P. indica into nanocarrier and cosmetic formulations, exploring its potential in wound-healing creams and antioxidant serums.

Resources

1. Wikipedia (link)

2. Traditional remedies from Pluchea indica (Journal of Ethnic Affairs and Development) (link)

3. Pluchea indica: An updated review of its botany, uses, bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties (Eric Wei Chiang Chan*, Ying Ki Ng, Siu Kuin Wong, Hung Tuck Chan) (link)

4. Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological Activities of Indian Camphorweed (Pluchea indica): A Multi-Potential Medicinal Plant of Nutritional and Ethnomedicinal Importance (Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim,*ORCID,Alaa A. Bagalagel, Reem M. Diri, Ahmad O. Noor, Hussain T. Bakhsh and Gamal A. Mohamed) (link