Kacip Fatimah

Labisia pumila, called kacip Fatimah, meaning Fatimah's betel cutter, is a flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Malaysia and also found in Sumatra, Java and Borneo. It is a small, woody, leafy herbaceous plant that grows in low clusters in the shade of the tropical forest floor, with oblong leaves that are hairy underneath, solitary or rarely branching stems and fine, hairy roots. It spreads by its rhizomes, which are underground stems, by leaves and by seeds. Three varieties are described: var. alata, var. lanceolata and var. pumila. It is popular in the traditional medicine of the Malaysian and Indonesian community, in which it is believed to be the female version of the equally well-known tongkat ali. In folk medicine it was thought useful for inducing labour and treating venereal disease and flatulence. Its extract is sold in capsules, tablets and energy drinks.