Achyranthes aspera L.

Jarong (Achyranthes aspera) is an annual or perennial herb 30-200 cm tall of the Amaranthaceae family, found throughout the world's tropical and subtropical regions. In India, this plant is well known in Ayurvedic medicine, while its extract has been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal. Jarong is traditionally believed to be diuretic and to help relieve rheumatism and fever.

This plant is found in tropical, dry open areas, forests, thickets, and grasslands at elevations between 2,000-3,000 m above sea level. Rainfall ranges between 700-1,300 mm/year.

• Root a taproot, dirty white.
• Stem angular, reddish-brown, with many branches.
• Leaves single, green, ovate, hairy, base and tip tapering, pinnate venation, leaf size 1-10 x 1-5 cm, petiole length 5-15 mm.
• Flowers compound, spike-shaped, appearing at the tip of the stem or branches, greenish-white.
• Fruit oblong or ovate, indehiscent.
• Seeds oblong, brown, 2-3 mm long.

Propagated generatively using seed.

Alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tannin, terpenoid, oleonolic acid, dihydroxy ketones, aliphatic acid, phytosterol strigmasta, triacontanol, hydroquinone, essential oil.

Diuretic, rheumatism, stomach ache, menstrual pain, swollen feet, mumps, fever, has antiarthritic, purgative, antiasthma, diuretic, antimalarial, oestrogenic, antileprotic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, antibacterial activity, treats beriberi, pneumonia, cough, toothache, gonorrhea, syphilis, hemorrhoids, and dysentery.

Jarong lalaki (Sunda), Sangkohidung (Sulawesi), Rai rai, dodinga (Maluku).