Strobilanthes alternata (Burm.f.) Moylan ex J.R.I.Wood

Sambang getih (Strobilanthes alternata) is a climbing plant 15-30 cm tall of the Acanthaceae family that, according to LIPI records, is native to the island of Java, now also found in Malaysia and the Philippines. During the colonial era, its leaves were used as a natural dark red dye for cotton cloth. Traditionally, sambang getih is also believed to act as a diuretic and treat open wounds and sprains.

Generally grows well in lowlands, mountainous regions, and open locations that receive plenty of sunlight. This plant can be found up to an elevation of 400 m above sea level, in secondary forest. The ideal temperature for this plant is 15–17.5°C at night and 20-22.5°C during the day.

• Roots taproot, yellowish-white.
• Stem round, lying and creeping, branched, jointed, and purple.
• Leaves, simple, stalked, positioned opposite, ovate, pointed tip, toothed margins, pinnate venation, upper surface purplish-red with a grayish sheen, underside wine-red, hairy.
• Flowers compound, gathered in a spike arrangement, emerging from the stem tip, funnel-shaped corolla, white.
• Fruit small, oblong, light green.
• Seeds small, flat, and white.

• Propagated vegetatively (by stem cuttings).
• Growing medium preparation, composed of ⅓ regular soil, sand, ⅓ manure compost, with ⅓ red brick fragments at the pot base.

• Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, high potassium and low sodium content, silicic acid, and glycosides.

• Acts as a diuretic; treats open wounds and sprains, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids; addresses excessive menstruation; has anti-inflammatory activity.

Binalu api (Malay), Remek daging, Reundeu beureum (Sunda), Keji beling, Sambang getèh, Sarap (Java).