Bloodleaf

Overview

The plant is native to Peru, and introduced to regions of Latin America, India, Africa, China, South-East Asia, Solomon Island, and Windward Island. Bloodleaf often cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics, valued especially for the attractive leaf markings. The leaves are used locally as a food colouring. They are squeezed in water in order to obtain a red dye used for colouring agar-agar jellies. In the northern Peruvian Andes, used for magic-therapeutical purposes where traditional healers use it to expel evil spirits from the body.

Vernacular Names

Dahong pula (Tagalog-Philippines), Xue xian (Chinese).

Agroecology

Found in forest borders and along forest paths, at elevations from 500-1,500 metres. Prefers a minimum temperature in the range 10-15 °C, the plants are damaged by temperatures lower than 2 °C. Succeeds in full sun or light shade.Grows best in a humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Morphology

• Roots - taproot.
• Stem - red coloured stems.
• Leaves - broadly ovate or orbicular, purple-reddish leaves with light purple midrib and veins.
• Flowers - small, petals are greenish white or yellowish-white, with dry membranous bracts.

Cultivation

Propagated by seed and stem cuttings.

Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, phytosterols, resins, saponins, tannins, thiols, furan-2-carboxylic acid, 2-Ethyl-2-hexen-1-al, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, methyl 14-methylpentadecanoate, palmitic acid, methyl linolelaidate, linolenic acid methyl ester, 2,5-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione, 5-chloropyridin-2-ol, 17-Carboxyoctadeca-2,4-dien-1-ylium, ß-sitosterol, campesterol, and 3'4'7-tri-hydroxy-6-metoxyflavone.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Leaves are used externally against skin depurative such as eczemas, sores, and pimples. 
• Decoction of leaves and flowers is used in the treatment of fever, relaxant, and kidney problems.
• In Africa, leaves and stems are used for wound healing. 
• In southern Brazil, used for wound healing. Leaves are used in treatment of cancer.