Hemigraphis alternata (Burm.f.) T.Anderson
Metallic Plant / Seliwah merah (Bru.)
Acanthaceae
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial creeping herb that can grow up to 40 cm tall. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, glabrous or hairy, glossy and silvery green turning purple when mature. Leaf blade is ovate-oblong, rounded at apex, oblique or truncate at base with toothed margin. Stems are purplish, glabrescent and rooting easilly near the nodes. Inflorescence a terminal cyme. Flowers are small, white with purple tinge and tubular. Fruit a dehiscent capsule.
For local uses, the roots, leaves and stems are boiled off and used as herbal bath after it is cooled off to treat food poisoning and to strengthen the body. The root decoction is used to cure sore or swollen legs. The flowers are boiled with breast milk and applied into the mouth of an infant using cotton bud as thrush remedy. The plant is known for its antibacterial, wound healing and antioxidant activities.
It is commonly found in disturbed areas and in forests. It prefers loamy soil under partial shade.
Stem cutting and leaf cutting.
Native to tropical Asia.
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