Medicinal Plants

Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew

Jelatang Ayam

Urticaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Laportea interrupta (Jelatang Ayam) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Laportea interrupta (Jelatang Ayam) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Laportea interrupta (Jelatang Ayam)

Summary

Jelatang ayam (Laportea interrupta) is an annual herb 20-80 cm tall of the Urticaceae family, distributed across Africa and Asia. Communities in Papua New Guinea and Maluku use it as medicine for bruises and body aches, while in India and Papua its leaves are also processed into nettle tea. Jelatang ayam is traditionally believed to relieve malaria, fever, and help with labor contractions.

Agroecology

This plant grows well in areas with humus-rich soil. Prefers moist, partially shaded conditions, particularly in lowlands up to elevations of 800 m above sea level.

Morphology

  • Stem upright, watery (herbaceous), branched, monopodial branching.
  • Leaves single, dark green to soft green in color, with fine hairs, leaf width 5-7 cm, length 8-12 cm. Leaf edges serrated and rough, heart-shaped, tip tapering.
  • Flowers compound, arranged in tiers on a panicle-shaped stalk, small in size. Male and female flowers separate with white pollen.
  • Fruit long-pediceled and winged.
  • Seeds have a very small endosperm and a broad seed coat.

Cultivation

  • Propagated by seed.
  • Pre-sow the seeds in a shaded place. Once large enough, transplant to a permanent area.

Chemical Content

Alkaloid, terpenoid, flavonoid, tannin, sterol, glycoside, phenolic, steroids, saponin, xanthophylls, phycobilins, cytochromes, coumarins, carotenoids.

Benefits

Treats malaria, fever, bruises, hyperthyroidism, pain relief, reduces body aches, helps labor contractions, promotes urination, relieves stomach ache and headache, antibacterial.

Simplisia

  • Wash fresh leaves thoroughly.
  • Then dry the leaves in the sun (3-4 days) or air-dry them outdoors (approximately 7 days).
  • Once dry, grind the leaves, pack in an airtight package.

Local Names

Daun gatal.

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 Headache from Jelatang Ayam

1. Headache

  • Prepare daun gatal (jelatang ayam leaves) as needed.
  • Wash thoroughly with running water.
  • Grind into a paste.
  • Apply to the forehead.
Traditional recipe Hyperthyroidism from Jelatang Ayam

2. Hyperthyroidism

  • Take 2-3 tbsp dried leaf powder.
  • Add to 1 cup of hot water.
  • Let stand 10-15 minutes, strain.
  • Add honey as needed. Drink twice a day for 2-3 weeks.

Reference Sources

  1. Fern, Ken (2019). Useful Tropical Plants). Laportea interrupta. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Laportea+interrupta. 21-02-2021.
  2. Biodiversity India. (2018). India Biodiversity Portal. Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew. https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/230186. 21-02-2021.
  3. Selvam, Nataraja Thamizh, K., R. Surabhi, and V., Acharya M. (2016). Ethnomedicinal Value of Laportea interrupta L. Chew: A Review. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR) Vol. 7(5): 245-249.
  4. JSTOR. (No date). Global Plants. Compilation Laportea interrupta. https://plants.jstor.org/compilation/Laportea.interrupta 21-02-2021.
  5. Krishna, C.S., Sajeesh, T. and Parimelazhagan, T. (2014). Evaluation of nutraceutical properties of Laportea interrupta (L.) chew. Food Sci Biotechnol Vol. 23, 577–585. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10068-014-0079-3. 21-02-2021.
  6. Uddin, Md. Nashir, Or-Rashid, Md. Harun, and Sultana, Razia et.al. (2016). ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF LAPORTEA INTERRUPTA LINN. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, Vol. 2 (1 & 2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323771567_ANTIMICROBIAL_AND_ANTIOXIDANT_ACTIVITIES_OF_LAPORTEA_INTERRUPTA_LINN. 21-02-2021.
  7. Stuartxchange. (2021). Philippine Medicinal Plants. Lipang-aso. http://www.stuartxchange.com/Lipang-aso.html. 21-02-2021.
  8. Uses.plantnet-project.org. Laportea interrupta. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Laportea_interrupta_(PROSEA) 30-10-2020. 
  9. Herbpathy.com, 2020. Hipertiroid. https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Stinging-Nettle-Cid863 30-10-2020.
  10. Stuartxchange. Philippine Medicinal Plants. Lipang-aso. http://www.stuartxchange.com/Lipang-aso.html 21-02-2021