Ardisia elliptica

Other Names : shoebutton ardisia, duck's eye, coralberry, Mata Pelanduk/ Ayam, Sea-Shore Ardisia
Ardisia elliptica Thunb. is a small shrub that can grow up to 10 m tall. The leaves are obovate, 6–9 cm long with smooth margins. They have an acute apex and a cuneate leaf base. The leaves have a leathery texture. The plant bears whitish pink axillary inflorescences and the drupes are globular, 1–1.2 cm in diameter and grow in clumps, pale red when immature, and turning dark purplish upon maturity. Native to tropical and temperate Asia

Pharmacological Activities

Antiplatelet and Antibacterial.

Health Benefits and uses of Ardisia elliptica

• The decoction of the leaves is used by the Malays to treat pain in the region of the heart.
• The Kadazan Dusun tribes in Malaysia used paste made from the leaves of Ardisia elliptica to treat herpes and measles.
• The fruits are used in Thai Traditional Medicine to cure diarrhoea with fever.

Phytoconstituents

Rapanone, bauerenol, α- and β-amyrin, syringic acid, isorhamnetin and quercetin, bergenin, 5-(Z-Heptadec-4′-enyl)resorcinol and 5-pentadecylresorcinol.