Hydrocotyle verticillata Thunb.

Antanan air (Hydrocotyle verticillata) is a semi-aquatic trailing plant up to 10-15 cm long of the Araliaceae family, native to North and South America. Its interesting growth pattern makes it popular among aquarium enthusiasts as an aquatic ornamental plant. Traditionally, antanan air is also believed to help relieve external wounds, boils, and flu symptoms.

Grows at elevations up to 1,600 m above sea level, optimum temperature 10-25 °C, soil pH around 5-7. Often found in moist areas such as pond edges with soil containing plenty of organic matter, near waterways and muddy areas.

• Leaves single, arranged alternately, 2.5-5 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, round shaped, glossy surface, dark green on top with a leaf stalk 8-25 cm long.
• Flowers grow from leaf axils with a stalk length of 3-13 cm, greenish to creamy white in color, star-shaped, small with a length of 2-3 cm.
• Fruit somewhat flattened egg-shaped with a very short stalk, 1-1.5 cm long, 2-2.5 mm wide.

• Propagated by planting runners or stems that already have roots.
• Segments that already have roots are cut and planted in loose, sandy soil.

Saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, sterols, triterpenes, glycosides, β-carotene, essential oil (β-farnesene, β cubebene, γ-muurolene, β-bisabolene.

Treats external wounds or blistered skin, boils, cough, flu, hepatitis, itchy skin, sore throat and stomach, leprosy, dysentery, relieves headache, fever, anticancer.

• Dry 1 kg of fresh leaves together with the stalks in a drying cabinet at 40 °C for 3-4 days.
• Grind the dried material with a blender.
• Store in a closed container.

Puser bumi, Pegagan air, Antanan besar.