Coleus monostachyus (P.Beauv.) A.J.Paton

Rimangi (Coleus monostachyus) is an erect annual or perennial herb up to 1 meter tall from the Lamiaceae family that originates from tropical Africa, first recorded in Singapore in 2009. Its leaves are eaten as a local vegetable, while its sap is traditionally used as a sedative and stomach remedy. In Africa, rimangi also has many ritual uses related to pregnancy.

Rimangi can be found growing in various habitats, but usually grows as a weed in rice field areas, along waterways, and shaded areas, at elevations of 1-1,600 m asl. Suitable temperatures for its growth are in the range of 15-28 °C, with rainfall between 1,800-3,000 mm/year. Prefers loose, fertile soil conditions with moderate to high water needs, and a position in partial shade or full sun.

• Stem soft, square, hairy, green with a reddish-purple tinge, segments 1-10 cm, monopodial branching.
• Leaves opposite-crossed, single, hairy-matted. Blade ovate to broadly ovate, base heart-shaped, truncated or wedge-shaped, margin scalloped, tip blunt to notched. Adaxial surface green with a reddish-purple margin, hairless, while the abaxial surface is paler. The base of the leaf vein on the adaxial surface is reddish-purple, leaf veins prominent, pinnate venation, leaf texture prominent between the veins.
• Flowers a compound spike, its inflorescence located at the stem tip (terminal). Peduncle leaves lanceolate-ovate, reddish-purple, white at the base. Calyx fused, 2-lipped, reddish-purple. Corolla fused, 2-lipped, upper lip short, 4-lobed, reddish-purple margin, lower lip boat-shaped, whitish-purple. Stamens numbering 4, filaments fused at the base and white. Anther oblong, yellow, pistil 1, stigma 2-lobed and purple.
• Fruit young green and turning brown when ripe, box-shaped and round, containing 4 seeds.
• Seeds small, glossy flat, black.

Propagation generatively (seeds) or vegetatively (stem cuttings).

Flavonoids, coumarins, polyphenols, essential oil (beta-pinene, oct-1-en-3-ol, beta-caryophyllene, octan-3-ol, (E,E)-α-farnesene).

Treats colic, seizures, fever, headaches and coughs especially in children, increases appetite and strengthens the stomach, treats dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), hematuria (bloody urine), infertility, rheumatism, foot infections, snake bites, external treatment for vision problems, treats onchocerciasis (a disease affecting the skin and eyes, caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus). Has antioxidant and antihypertensive activity.

• Prepare rimangi root, wash clean with running water then drain.
• Dry under sunlight or with an oven at 40 °C until moisture content reaches 10%.
• Store in a clean, airtight container.

Kemangi-kemangian.