Hedyotis is a very problematic genus or group of genera. Neither the overall identity and limits of this lineage, nor the evolutionary patterns within it, are at all understood or delineated. Widely differing treatments have long been used in different regions and floras. The situation is far from resolution or even general consensus and so many authors treat the genus very broadly[]. In line with several recent (up to 2013) molecular and phylogenic studies, the Kew ‘World Checklist of Selected Plant Families’ has recognised a number of distinct genera and this is the treatment we are adopting here[].

Common Name:

General Information

Hedyotis capitellata is a perennial plant with stems up to 2 metres long that become more or less woody and sometimes persist. The stems do not always support themselves well, the plant often scrambling over the ground or twining into the nearby vegetation[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southwest China, northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Habitat

A common climber over bushes and hedges up to 1,200 metres[]. Broad-leaved forests in valleys, sunny mountain slopes; at elevations around 1,500 metres in Yunnan[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are taken internally for treating kidney complaints[]. They have been used successfully as an antacid in the treatment of peptic ulcers[].
Applied externally, they are used to make a healing poultice for promoting tissue regeneration in wounds and for treating snake bites, broken bones, bruises, rheumatism, lumbago and ague[, ].

A decoction of the leaves and young stems is used to treat ulcers in the mouth, glossitis, pharyngitis and peptic ulcers[, ].

A decoction or extract of the stem offers an effective remedy for gastralgia, gastric ulcer and heanburn[].
A mouth·wash prepared with the stem liquid extract combined with honey is used as a treatment for ulcerous stomatitis[].

A decoction of the root is administered to women after childbirth, and is also used against constipation, indigestion, gastric vertigo and dysentery[].

The plant can be harvested the whole year round, but preferably in the first half of the growing season. It, is then washed and dried in the sun or in ovens[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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