Garden Balsam
(Impatiens balsamina L.)
Garden Balsam
(Impatiens balsamina L.)
The Balsam plant originates from South Asia, specifically India and Myanmar. Balsam has bright, colorful flowers and is often grown as an ornamental plant. Balsam leaves are commonly used as a nail dye, and almost all parts of the plant have medicinal benefits for healing diseases.
Commonly found starting from the lowlands up to an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). This plant is intolerant of drought, thus it cannot survive in dry and arid regions. It prefers soil conditions with good drainage and sufficient light intensity.
Root: Fibrous root.Stem: Succulent (wet), segmented (noded), smooth, and sparsely branched.Leaves: Simple (single), elongated lanceolate shape, serrated margin, light green color, without stipules.Flower: Brightly colored, various colors. Available in both single and double forms.Fruit: A capsule (fruit) that, when ripe, will burst open into five spiraled segments.Seed: Numerous, brownish-black, round, 1.5–3 mm in diameter.
Propagation: Done generatively (seeds). Seeds are collected from large, smooth, yellowish-green fruits that have matured on the plant and have not yet burst.
Root: Emenagogue (promotes menstruation), anti-inflammatory, treats rheumatism, stiff neck, stiff waist, back pain.
Flower: Hypertension, swelling due to impact (contusion), boils (furunculus), rheumatoid arthritis (joint rheumatism), bites from non-venomous snakes, and dermatitis (skin inflammation).
Leaf: Treats leucorrhea (vaginal discharge), menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), chronic appendicitis, anti-inflammatory, fractured or cracked bones, and reduces pain.
Seed: Emenagogue, delayed menstruation, parturifacient (facilitates childbirth), and treats upper digestive tract cancer.
Flower: Anthocyanins, cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, malvidin, kaempferol, and quercetin.
Root: Cyanidin mono-glycoside.
Socfindo Conservation. 2023. Pacar Air. https://www.socfindoconservation.co.id/plant/324 (06-04-2023)