Grona triflora (L.) H.Ohashi & K.Ohashi.

Rumput Jarem

Fabaceae

Location in the garden Main

Summary

Rumput jarem (Grona triflora) is a creeping herb 8-50 cm tall of the Fabaceae family, distributed across Southeast Asia and long used in Chinese medicine. Besides its medicinal properties, this plant also functions as green manure and a ground cover that suppresses weed growth and prevents erosion. Rumput jarem is traditionally believed to relieve bloating, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.

Agroecology

A tropical plant that grows from lowlands to elevations of 1,500 m above sea level, temperature range 18-28 °C, rainfall between 1,500-4,000 mm/year. Grows well in soil with low to moderate fertility, soil pH 5–6.5 with full sunlight or under shade.

Morphology

  • Roots strong taproot.
  • Stem round, jointed, rough surface, heavily branched, brown in color.
  • Leaves green, stalked, alternating, trifoliate compound. Each leaflet heart-egg shaped, leaf tip flared with the middle part no more than 0.6 cm.
  • Flowers bisexual, pink to purplish at the leaf axils. Petals butterfly-shaped.
  • Fruit a slightly curved pod, hairy, consisting of three chambers, containing 4-8 seeds.
  • Seeds small, light brown, has sharp hair-like modifications that cause the seeds to stick firmly to clothing.

Cultivation

  • Propagated by seed, stem cuttings, offshoot separation and root cuttings.

Chemical Content

  • Flavonoids, alkaloids, ethanolic, indole-3-acetic acid, trigonelline, choline, hypaphorine, saponins, terpenoids, anthocyanins, tyramine, steroids, phenolics, amino acids.

Benefits

  • Treats bloating, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, asthma, fever, rheumatism, wounds, boils, meningitis, antiseptic, mouthwash, cough, antidote for snake venom, chickenpox, wound remedy, and skin problems.

Simplisia

  • Prepare fresh, undamaged rumput jarem. Clean off any attached dirt.
  • Wash thoroughly with running water then drain.
  • Place on a tray then dry in the sun for several days and cover with a thin dark cloth.
  • Once dry, put into a clean, tightly sealed, airtight plastic bag.

Local Names

Sisik betok, Genteng cangkeng (Sunda), Ki mules, Delilan, Semaaggen, Suket jarem (Java).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Chickenpox from Rumput Jarem

1. Chickenpox

  • Prepare 10 fresh leaves, wash thoroughly. Pound the leaves with slaked lime to taste until fine.
  • Apply to the affected area.

Reference Sources

  1. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Desmodium triflorum. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Desmodium+triflorum 29-01-2021
  2. Ajpcrjournal.com. Asian Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Research. PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF DESMODIUM TRIFLORUM- A REVIEW. http://www.ajpcrjournal.com/article/PHARMACOLOGICAL%20ACTIVITY%20OF%20DESMODIUM%20TRIFLORUM-%20A%20REVIEW.pdf 8-02-2021
  3. Badan penelitian dan pengembangan kesehatan. 2006. Inventaris tanaman obat indonesia VI: Sakit Cacar. Depkes.