Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume

Rumput jarang-jarang (Cyathula prostrata) is an annual or perennial upright herb 30-50 cm tall of the Amaranthaceae family, widely distributed from Africa to Papua and the Pacific. In Gabon and Zaire, its leaves are eaten as a vegetable, while in Ayurvedic medicine the whole plant is processed into a fever-reducing infusion. Rumput jarang-jarang is also believed to be hemostatic and to help heal fractures.

Rumput jarang-jarang usually grows wild and is found in forests, plantations, rough grasslands, along roadsides, and wet areas such as swamps and rivers. Prefers moist places, loamy and sandy soil, light to dense shade, at elevations of 1,650 m above sea level.

• Root emerges at the stem nodes.
• Stem bluntly square-shaped, thickened above the leaf node, often covered with fine red hair.
• Leaves arranged opposite, single, rhombus-shaped, edges and veins red.
• Flowers an upright, long raceme, located at the stem tip or in the uppermost leaf axils.
• Fruit elliptical shape, 1.5-2 mm long, single-seeded.
• Seeds ovate-shaped, glossy brown in color.

• Propagated by seed, stem cuttings.
• Seed dispersal is often aided by bees and wind.

Saponin, tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid, steroid, essential oil, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones, glycosides, phlobatannin.

Remedy for cough, headache, fever, dysentery, worm infections, cholera, scabies, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic (stops bleeding), remedy for wounds, burns, fractures, antiseptic, ear drops/otitis remedy.

• Prepare the whole rumput jarang-jarang plant. Separate the leaves, stem and root. Wash thoroughly with running water.
• Air-dry the simplisia material for 2 weeks.
• Store the simplisia in a closed, airtight container.

Ranggitan, Kendiran, Upan-upan, Rendit banyu (Java), Rai-rai fotoheka (Ternate).