Melochia corchorifolia L.

Rumput jelumpang (Melochia corchorifolia) is an erect herb up to 2 meters tall of the Malvaceae family that grows as a weed in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Its leaves are commonly cooked as a complementary vegetable in everyday dishes. Traditionally, this plant is also believed to address stomach ache, diarrhea, and help prevent the spread of snake venom.

A plant that can live in various environmental conditions, whether exposed to direct sunlight or shaded. Usually in humid environments such as riverbanks, rice fields, dump sites, forests, and at elevations of 700 m above sea level, adaptable to dry and wet environments. It is a major weed in paddy rice in the Philippines and soybean fields in Thailand and Indonesia.

• Roots fibrous, white or brown.
• Stem hairy, cylindrical.
• Leaves ovate, petiole 5 cm long, stipule 5 mm long. The blade is 7.5 x 5.5 cm in length and width.
• Flowers purple with 5 sepals, 5–7 mm long, bisexual.
• Fruit a 5-valved capsule, 5 mm in size.
• Seeds wrinkled, brown, 2.0-2.5 mm long.

• Propagated generatively (by seed).
• Scarification can speed germination, most optimal at 35-40°C.

Alkaloids (fraganine, frangufoline, adouetine-y', melofoline, melochicorine), pyridine, flavonol glycosides, triterpenes, flavonoids, sitosterol, stearate.

Treats stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea, urinary disorders, smallpox, wounds or swelling; helps prevent the spread of snake venom; treats ear disorders; acts as a dewormer; supports liver health. Has antioxidant and anticancer activity.

• Prepare the whole plant and clean under running water.
• Air-dry for 3 days.
• Once dry, grind with a blender.
• Then store in a sterile, airtight container.

Jaring (Sunda), Gendiran (Java).