Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv.

Alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) is a herb up to 120 cm tall of the Poaceae family, a plant native to Southeast Asia distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Although generally considered a weed, its root serves as a natural erosion control and bioherbicide, while its young shoots can be cooked. Alang-alang root is traditionally believed to dissolve kidney stones and relieve hepatitis.

This plant lives in tropical to subtropical regions. Grows very well in areas at elevations up to 2,000 m above sea level, temperature 20-40 °C, rainfall 500-3,500 mm/year, pH 4-7.5, in full sun to somewhat shaded conditions.

• Roots hard, forming a creeping, jointed rhizome.
• Stem short, rising above ground and flowering, partly purplish-red.
• Leaves line-shaped (long ribbon) lance-shaped with a tapering tip, base clasping and gutter-shaped, 12-80 cm long.
• Flowers compound panicle-shaped, 6-28 cm long, spikelets with long white hairs, 1 cm in size.

• Propagated by seed and rhizome. Alang-alang's very light seeds can spread to other places carried by wind.
• The rhizome roots are able to build a sturdy network underground and their shoots will occasionally push upward growing a new generation.

Mannitol, glucose, sucrose, citric acid, malic acid, cylindrin, fernenol, coixol, arundoin, arundoin, semiarenol, silicic acid.

Treats kidney stones, kidney infection, hepatitis, urinary stones, difficulty urinating, vaginal discharge.

• Separate alang-alang root from dirt and wash thoroughly with running water.
• Dry at 40 °C for 5-7 days until a moisture content of 8% is obtained. Once dry, grind with a blender then sift.
• Store in a sterile, airtight container.

Eurih (Sunda), Ambengan, Halalang (Minangkabau), Lalang (Madura and Bali), Jih (Gayo), Kusu-kusu (Manado), Wusu (Sumba).