Kacip Fatimah
Scientific Name(s): L. pumila var. pumila., L. pumila var.alata (Scheff.) Mez., L. pumila var. lanceolata (Scheff.) Mez., Labisia pumila Benth. & Hook. f.
Common Name(s): Kacip fatimah, Selusuh fatimah
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 15, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Kacip fatimah is primarily marketed as a health tonic for pre- and postmenopausal women.
Dosing
The herb, or formulation with other herbs, is available in many commercial products as a capsule, tea, or coffee, and as a canned beverage for human consumption. A pilot study documents dosages of up to 560 mg/day in postmenopausal women. Most commercial formulations are 154 mg capsules taken twice daily.
Contraindications
Avoid use if there is a known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the components of kacip fatimah.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of clinical data.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
No clinical data were found.
Toxicology
None well documented.
Scientific Family
- Primulaceae
Botany
L. pumila, or kacip fatimah, is part of a genus of approximately 7 species and is found in Southeast Asia in the lowlands and hill forests of Malaysia at an altitude of 300 to 700 m. It is a small subherbaceous perennial with creeping stems growing from 30 to 40 cm in height. The leaves are elliptical-lanceolate in shape. The upper side of the leaf is dark green and the underside is light green to reddish-purple. The whole leaf can be more than 30 cm long and 13 cm wide. The clustered white to pink flowers are 6 to 30 cm long with sepals, petals, and stamens. The flowers produce a round, bright red to purple fruit 0.5 cm in diameter when ripe.Foster 2009, Mannerås 2010
History
Kacip fatimah has been used for centuries and is still commonly consumed by Malay women in Malaysia.Foster 2009 The whole plant has been administered before and after childbirth to expedite delivery. Other reported uses include treatment of dysentery, dysmenorrhea, flatulence, gonorrhea, and hemorrhoidsJamal 2006 as well as for a condition described as "sickness in the bones."Zaizuhana 2006 Men from several ethnic groups in the Malaysian state of Sarawak have reported increased stamina after consuming the herb.Asiah 2007 The herb may also relieve throat ache when combined with the roots of Piper caninum.Hanum 1999
A decoction of the herb is administered 1 to 2 months before childbirth to help strengthen and tone abdominal muscles and the vaginal wall and tissue. The herb also promotes emotional well-being, reduces fatigue, and increases libido and energy. A decoction of the leaves and roots is consumed to promote strength after childbirth, as well as to delay further conception.Foster 2009
The Malaysian government is providing support for research on the safety and efficacy of kacip fatimah because of the appearance of numerous commercial products over the last 10 years in the Malaysian market claiming increased vitality and libido. Ongoing clinical trials continue, and various patents have been filed for kacip fatimah.Foster 2009
Chemistry
There are limited chemical studies on kacip fatimah. The major components of the plant are benzoquinoid compounds contained in the root and leaves, alkenyl resorcinols, and triterpenoid compounds.Ezumi 2007, Foster 2009 Antioxidant component...
