Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene

Gigi gergaji (Phyla nodiflora) is a creeping herb 0.8-1 meter tall of the Verbenaceae family, originating from South America and Africa, now popular in the Australia-Pacific region as a foot-traffic-tolerant ground cover plant. Its leaves can even be used as a tea substitute. Traditionally, gigi gergaji is believed to reduce fever, relieve cough, and help address skin diseases.

This plant lives at elevations below 400 m above sea level. Generally found in moist places such as areas with high rainfall. Tolerant of flooding and drought conditions.

• Roots taproot that can reach 2 m in length with fibrous roots at some stem nodes.
• Stem 2-3 mm thick, up to 95 cm long, purplish-green when young, grayish on mature stems.
• Leaves oval shaped, serrated at the leaf tip edges, grayish-green in color.
• Flowers purplish-white in color, 10 mm diameter.
• Fruit 1-1.5 mm diameter.

Propagated using seed or by cutting the plant's stem segments (cuttings).

Triterpenoid, flavonoid, phenol, steroid, nodifloretin, glycosides-nodiflorin A, nodiflorin B, lippiflorin A, tannin, rutin, β-sitosterol, luteolin, nepetin, batatilfolin, hispidulin, larycitrin, stigmasterol.

Reduces fever, relieves cough and flu, relieves ulcers, treats various skin diseases, boils, canker sores, eases breathing, vaginal discharge, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

• Wash the whole plant thoroughly with clean water.
• Then dry the material for 3-4 days under shade.
• Grind the dried material until fine then sift.
• Store the dried material in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

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