Botany
A low and spreading herb, up to 1 meter high, with slender twigs which are hairy when young. Leaves are smooth, with a prominent midrib beneath, narroly oblong, up to 9 cm long and 3.5 cm wide; the terminal ones much smaller, lanceolate, borne on 1-cm petioles, acuminate and pointed on both ends. Flowers are axillary, white, crowded on heads. Calyx is bells-shaped. Corolla is longer than the calyx. Fruit is green, smooth, somewhat rounded, 1.5 to 2mm in diamter.

Distribution
In forests at low and medium altitudes.

Parts used
Roots.

Uses
Folkloric
Roots used internally and externally.
Decoction of roots used as a stomachic and for dysentery.
Also used for gonorrhea.
Poultice of roots used for scalds and external body pain.

Studies
• Smooth Muscle Activities: Of 27 plants studied, 48% demonstrated smooth muscle relaxant activity and 17% contraction. The bark of Hedyotis congesta demonstrated the most potent contraction.
 
Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
PRELIMINARY IN VITRO PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF TROPICAL RAIN FOREST PLANTS OF MALAYSIA / Wiart C, Kumar A, Mogana R et al /