Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl

White-flowered sea holly (Acanthus ebracteatus) is an erect shrub 0.5-2 meters tall of the Acanthaceae family, native to South India and Sri Lanka, spreading to Indo-China, Indonesia, and Northern Australia, generally growing in humid areas such as swamps and riverbanks. In tropical Asia and Africa, this plant has long been believed to cure rheumatism and asthma. Its preparation is also used to address liver inflammation, spleen enlargement, and tuberculosis.

Sea holly grows wild in coastal areas, riverbanks, and muddy, brackish locations. Tolerant of flooding and fairly high soil salinity, with a soil pH range of 6.8-7.2.

• Roots taproot, yellowish-white.
• Stem round and cylindrical, somewhat limp, smooth surface, brownish, with long, pointed thorns.
• Leaves simple, short-stalked, arranged in opposite pairs.
• Flowers compound, 6-30 cm long, bluish-purple corolla.
• Fruit ovate, ± 3 cm long, blackish-brown.
• Seeds kidney-shaped, 2-4 per fruit.

Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by stem cuttings or grafting).

Alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, lignans, phenols, β-sitosterol, benzoxazinoid glucosides, arabinose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose, and terpenoids.

Treats acute and chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis), enlarged liver and spleen, tuberculosis (TB), skin diseases, mumps, shortness of breath, intestinal worms, stomach pain, abdominal pain, liver cancer; treats boils, ulcers, and intestinal worms.

• Separate the sea holly leaves from the stem.
• Wash with water until clean, then drain.
• Air-dry in a shaded location for several days or in an oven at 40°C until the moisture content is 10%.
• Once dry, grind into a powder.
• Pack the dried material in clean, airtight plastic or a container.

Jeruju (Sumatra).