Prospects of Gedi Plant (Abelmoschus manihot L.) as a Functional Food and Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Gedi (Abelmoschus manihot L.), is a plant that grows in tropical climates and is widely used as a vegetable and herbal traditional medicine. Many people know gedi as a Japanese papaya. Gedi leaf is very well known by the people of Manado because it is often used as one of the vegetables in Manado porridge. Gedi leaves contain compounds that are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. This article will try to find some prospects and potential uses of the gedi plant, both for humans and for other uses. The research method used is to conduct a literature review of journals and articles that have been published nationally and internationally. This article is written from the results of a literature review to explore the potential and utilizations of the Gedi plant. Gedi leaves are widely used as vegetables, and herbal medicinal plants to treat several diseases. Gedi can be planted easily in the yard of the house. Given the potential, advantages, and disadvantages of gedi plants, further research is still needed to be able to explore the use of gedi as a functional food source for every family in Indonesia.