Waltheria indica L.

Lembayung muda (Waltheria indica) is a herb 0.5-2 meters tall of the Malvaceae family, thought to be native to Florida and Texas, now widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. In Nigeria it is used to treat diarrhea, while in Hawaii its leaves are used like natural aspirin for inflammation. Its stem can even be used as a substitute for a toothbrush, besides being believed to help address malaria and hemorrhoids.

Grows in tropical and subtropical land on dry, well-drained land and moist habitats with annual rainfall of 750-1,800 mm/year, with shaded sunlight. Drought-tolerant. Generally easily found in disturbed areas, weeds along roadsides, cotton fields, rocky areas, savanna, riverbanks, forest edges.

• Roots taproot, brown in color, flexible.
• Stem upright and strong emerging from below the soil surface, branching.
• Leaves alternate, narrow, egg-shaped or oblong heart-shaped, regularly toothed edges.
• Flowers occur at 6 months of age and bloom more or less until death. The flowers of this plant produce nectar.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (offshoots and shoot cuttings).
• Once the seedling is mature enough and strong and 15 cm or taller, it can be separated or transplanted to permanent land.

Alkaloids (adouetins X, Y, Y1, Z and cyclopeptide alkaloid), flavonoids (epicatechin, tiliroside, quercetin, and kaempferol), sterols, terpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponins, anthraquinones.

Treats mild symptoms (cough, sore throat), complications (asthma and inflammation), diarrhea, malaria, hemorrhoids, cancer, epilepsy, syphilis, infertility, bladder diseases, erectile dysfunction and impotence, has analgesic, antianemic, antibacterial and antioxidant activity.

• Harvest fresh, non-rotten leaves. Wash thoroughly with running water then drain.
• Slice thinly and air-dry under shade for several days.
• Grind the dried leaves.
• Store the powder in an opaque container at room temperature.

Information not found. Further research needed.