Medicinal Plants

Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern

Sawi Tanah

Brassicaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Rorippa indica (Sawi Tanah) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Rorippa indica (Sawi Tanah) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Rorippa indica (Sawi Tanah)

Summary

Sawi tanah (Rorippa indica) is an annual upright herb 20-60 cm tall of the Brassicaceae family, distributed from China and Japan to Malaysia and Indonesia, now also naturalized in the Americas. Although not yet commonly cultivated and often growing as a weed, its shoots and young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable. The rorifone compound within it is believed to have antimicrobial activity that helps address bronchitis and hepatitis.

Agroecology

Sawi tanah plants can be found along roadsides, gardens, and riverbanks at elevations of 230-1,450 m above sea level. Grows well in sandy, moist soil with full sunlight.

Morphology

  • Roots single, white in color, finely hairy.
  • Stem main stem round, purplish-green in color, round-shaped branches.
  • Leaves single, egg-shaped or elongated round, tapering leaf tip, serrated leaf edges, leaf length 4-10 cm and leaf width 2.5-2 cm.
  • Flowers arranged in a spike, pale yellowish-green in color, small and numerous. 
  • Seeds elliptical shaped, light brown in color, irregular subtriangular or polygonal shape.

Cultivation

Propagated generatively (by seed).

Chemical Content

Glucosinolates, flavonol glycosides, phenolic compounds, rorifone, roripamide, 1-chloro-1-methylcyclohexane, benzimidanol, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol.

Benefits

Treats respiratory tract inflammation (bronchitis), productive cough, measles, rheumatism, joint inflammation, hepatitis, bruises and wounds, bloody urine, diarrhea, snake bites.

Local Names

Sawi lemah, Kemandilan (Java), Sawi taneuh (Sunda), Rom taruman (Madura).

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 Measles from Sawi Tanah

1. Measles

  • Pound fresh sawi tanah then squeeze and take the liquid. Add a little salt, drink the concoction followed by plain water.
  • Age 1-2 years: drink 30 g once, more than 2 years: 60 g.
Traditional recipe Jaundice from Sawi Tanah

2. Jaundice

  • Boil 1/4 handful sawi tanah root, 1/3 handful sawi tanah leaves with 3 glasses of water until it boils and the water is reduced to 1 1/2 glasses. Cool then strain and add honey.
  • Drink twice a day, 3/4 glass each time.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. Plant of the World Online: Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:222144-2. 10-02-2021.
  2. Stuartxchange. 2018. Philippine Medicinal Plants: Sabi. http://www.stuartxchange.org/Sabi. 10-02-2021.