Youngia japonica (L.) DC.

Jukut kamanilan (Youngia japonica) is an erect annual or biennial herb up to 150 cm tall from the Asteraceae family, a plant native to China, Japan, and Korea now spread as far as Mexico and Europe. Its young leaves and young plants are consumed as a vegetable in Asia, while in traditional Chinese medicine it is used to reduce fever and detoxify. Jukut kamanilan is also believed to help treat boils and allergies.

This plant is commonly found growing along roadsides, disturbed areas, mountain slopes, mountain valleys, forests, forest edges, grasslands in forests, riverbanks, footpaths, roadside areas, and humid areas, at elevations of 200-4,500 m asl. It prefers open areas but tolerates shade. It grows well in areas with an average annual rainfall of 800-2,000 mm.

• Roots taproot.
• Stem cylindrical, 0.5-6 mm in diameter, grooved, monopodial branching, glabrous to nearly pubescent (short, fine hairs), producing milky white latex.
• Leaves single, arranged alternately, basal rosette, stipules present or absent, spatula-shaped, tapering base, rounded tip, finely serrated to finely lobed margins, pinnate venation, glabrous.
• Flowers bright yellow with dark brown to black serrated tips, ray florets consisting of 10-20 strands, with 5-8 sepals. Anthers dark green (purplish when dry), style and style branches yellow. Inflorescence a compound panicle of heads.
• Fruit elongated ovoid, surface with successive grooves, dark brown, 1.2-2 mm long, 1-chambered, pappus white.

• Propagation generatively (seeds).
• Seed dispersal is aided by wind.

Guaiane-type sesquiterpenes, taraxasteryl acetate, n-docosanol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, retinol, β-daucosterol, docosanoic acid, apigenin compounds.

Treats wounds, used as a blood-cleansing remedy, addresses digestive problems such as constipation, reduces fever, boils, snake bites, detoxification, atopy (allergies), angina, vaginal discharge, mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue), conjunctivitis, rheumatism, has antitussive properties. Has anticancer and antiviral activity.

No information found. Further research needed.