The taxonomy of this and related species is complicated, and different authors have drawn very different conclusions (e.g., Sivarajan & Biju, Taxon 39: 665-674. 1990; Dutta & Deb, Taxon. Rev. Hedyotis. 2004). In particular, Hedyotis brachypoda, Hedyotis corymbosa, and Hedyotis erecta are related and have been variously circumscribed[].

Common Name:

General Information

Oldenlandia diffusa is a slender, annual plant with ascending to procumbent, more or less branched stems up to 50cm long[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Paddy fields, ridges of farmlands, humid open fields; at elevations from sea level to 900 metres[]. A common weed in towns, gardens, and open lands throughout the Philippines[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, antidote, antiinflammatory, antitumor, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[]. A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of biliousness, impure blood, jaundice, hepatitis, fever, malignant tumours and gonorrhoua[, ]. It is used to treat any kind of internal inlammation such as inflammation such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, and appendicitis[].
A poultice of plant material is applied to external bruises or blood congestions, boils, and abscesses[]. Topical uses for this species are common and could be related to the presence of antiinflammatory iridoids[].

The plant contains four anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroid alchols, alkanes, organic acids, polysaccharides, coumarin and alkaloids[].
A study suggested that the plant may be effective in preventing hematopoietic damage when used in combination with radiotherapy360].
A study yielded five flavonol glycosides and four O-acylated iridoid glycosides. All nine compounds exhibited neuroprotective activity[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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