Ant Lair, A Unique Traditional Medicine from South East Asia

Ant Lair

In South East Asia, ant lair can became very unique traditional medicine. Perhaps its sound weird at first, but the benefit of this medicine has been proved not only by experience but also by scientific methods.

Not all of ant lair can be consumed and worthy for medical purpose. There only two from five genus of ant from family rubiceae that usually consumed by Asians. These two genuses called Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia.


There are 45 species of Hydnophytum has been used by south East Asian people for traditional medic. In Java Island, the species Hydnophytum formicarum, or in local language called urek-urek polo, often used to cure headache and swelling. In Philippine this species known as banghai, often used to deal with liver and digestion problems. Thailand people called it Hua Roi Ru, and use it to cure much disease such as worm infestation, bones, lungs, skins, and diabetes

The second genus, Myrcmecodia, has two common species used as medicine; Myrmecodia tuberose and Myrmecodia pendans. Myrmecodia tuberose is commonly used by people in Papua Island, and often found in Jayapura Jungle


These ant lairs uniqueness is because contains amazing substances which are:

1. Flavanoid: Work as antioxidants to prevent free radical. Protect the structure of cells and increase the effectiveness of vitamin C, anti-inflammatory, and prevent bone damage. Flavonoid also acts as antibiotics to disturb function of microorganism such as bacteria and virus, including HIV and Herpes.
2. Tanin: functionate to precipitate excessive protein in body. Useful to cure diarrhea or hemorrhoid
3. Polifenol: to stabilize blood sugar levels and to deal with microbe
4. Tokoferol: very powerful antioxidant which can prevent free radical up to 50%
5. Magnesium: important mineral to cure disease related to bones, livers, musculars, and others. The magnesium in ant lair is the one who help to deal with heart disease, migraine, improve kidneys and prostate function, and to increase stamina and sexuality.



Hydnophytum Formicarum

6. Other mineral: iron, phosphor, natrium, and zinc

How to Use:
200 gram of ant lair boiled in 3 liter of water, then filtered to eliminate the dregs. The color will be like tea.
The dregs can be boiled again until 3 times.
Drink the water three or four times a day (150cc)