What is a Santan?

Santan, also known as Ixora coccinea, Jungle Flame, or Dwarf Santan, is a dense, flowering
shrub that belongs to the Rubiaceae family12. It is native to Sri Lanka and India but is now a
popular ornamental and hedge shrub in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world1.

The Santan plant grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters2. Its leaves are stalkless or on very short
stalks, oblong, 5 to 9 centimeters long, heart-shaped or rounded at the base, and blunt-tipped2.
The edges of the leaves are often slightly serrated2. They arrange themselves in a spiral pattern
and alternate around a long stalk2.

The flowers of the Santan plant are its most striking feature. They are many, pink or red, and
borne in terminal, stalkless or shortly stalked, hairy cymes2. The plant brings forth beautiful red,
white, orange or pink flowers in dense clusters borne on short stalks1. Normally, Santan blooms
all year round1.

While Santan is cultivated mostly for ornamental or hedge purposes, it has many other benefits.
The leaves and flowers of the plant have medicinal and culinary qualities1. These parts contain
flavonoids, phenolic acids, quercetin, cyanidin, and ferulic acid1. Phytochemical screening has
also yielded glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, and resins1.

The compounds mentioned above give the plant sedative, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitumor,
hepatoprotective, chemoprotective, cytotoxic, analgesic and antimutagenic properties1. In folk
medicine, Santan flowers have been used to treat leucorrhea and dysentery1. Decoctions of the
blossoms were also used to treat amenorrhea, hemoptysis, hypertension, bronchitis, loss of
appetite, dysmenorrhea, and gonorrhea1. In addition, Santan flower extracts were used to bath
babies with skin infections and wash inflamed eyes1.

Here are some of the potential health benefits of Santan:

1. Wound Healing: Studies conducted in the 2000s to evaluate the healing capabilities of
the flower extract on wounded rats showed an increase in tensile strength and granuloma
tissue weight1. Researchers concluded that the healing power of Santan flower extracts
was due to increased collagen deposition, maturation, and alignment1.
2. Chemoprotective: Studies show that Santan flowers have chemoprotective qualities. In a
study involving mice with cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity, researchers established
that administration of Santan flower extracts protected the mice against drug-induced
hepatoxicity1. The action of the flower extracts was attributed to the presence of ursolic
acid and triterpenoids1.
3. Antiasthma and Anti-inflammatory: In a study published in the Journal of
Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2011, researchers sought to study the effects of Santan
leaf extracts in asthmatic rats. The study showed that Santan inhibited AHR in OVA-
induced asthma and suppressed eosinophilia1. The extracts were shown to lower
inflammation while repairing epithelial cells1. As a result, researchers concluded that
Santan has antiasthmatic and antiinflammatory capabilities1.
Please note that while the health benefits of Santan are promising, they should not replace
standard medical treatments for these conditions, and their use should be discussed with a
healthcare provider1.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Santan is also used in various cultural and religious ceremonies.
In Hinduism, the flowers are commonly used in religious offerings due to their vibrant colors and
pleasant fragrance. In the Philippines, children often use the flowers to make necklaces and
garlands.

The Santan plant is relatively easy to care for, making it a popular choice for home gardens. It
prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The plant is also quite drought-tolerant, although it
prefers regular watering for optimal growth. It’s also important to note that the Santan plant
prefers well-draining soil and can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.

Overall, the Santan plant is a versatile and beautiful addition to any garden, offering both
aesthetic appeal and potential health benefits. Whether you’re interested in its vibrant blooms, its
medicinal properties, or its cultural significance, there’s no denying the charm of this tropical
shrub.