Common Name: Indian Nettle

General Information

Acalypha indica is an erect, annual to sometimes short-lived perennial herb that usually grows up to 1.5 metres tall with occasional specimens to 2.5 metres[].
An important medicinal plant in the Indian Ocean islands as well as in India, where it is also cultivated for its edible shoots[].

Known Hazards

Care needs to be taken when using the species as a vegetable as it contains several alkaloids as well as hydrocyanic acid[].

Botanical References

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Range

Africa - Senegal to Somalia, south to S. Africa; E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea

Habitat

Hot, low to medium altitude, sandy margins of rivers, seasonal water courses and pans, usually in shade of thickets, also on rocky hillsides and rocky outcrops, often in disturbed ground and as a weed of cultivation, 125 - 1000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not much information is available on the management of this plant[]. It needs fair amounts of water and nutrients to grow quickly and stay tender[].
Indian nettle is often considered a noxious weed[]. It is listed as 'Invasive' in many areas outside its native range[].

Edible Uses

In India and Indonesia the plant is cultivated for its edible shoots and leaves, which are cooked as a vegetable.

Medicinal

Indian nettle contains a number of medically active ingredients including an essential oil, resin, tannins and an alkaloid[]. It was formerly listed in the British Pharmacopoeia[]. It has numerous medicinal uses in India and is listed in the Pharmacopoeia of India as an expectorant to treat asthma and pneumonia[]. It also has significant antibacterial and antifungal activities, both against human and plant pathogens, and it would be worthwhile continuing research to isolate the active compounds[].

The leaves are widely used in traditional medicines where they are said to be emetic, ophthalmic, purgative and vermifuge[]. An infusion together with a tuber infusion of Jumellea fragrans is taken to treat bronchitis. Combined with the roots of Tylophora indica it is used in cases of poisoning[].
Externally, the sap is used as eye drops to treat eye infections. The leaf powder, sometimes mixed with salt, is applied externally to maggot-infested wounds, skin parasites and other skin problems. A leaf decoction is used as a massage cream to treat pain of the joints. A poultice made from the whole plant is applied to sores and swellings, and also used to treat headaches[, , ].

The roots are said to be laxative[]. An infusion or decoction is taken to treat asthma, intestinal worms and stomach-ache, and also to clean the liver and kidneys[].

Other Uses

The plant is known to have antifungal activity against plant pathogens[].

Propagation

Seed -

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