Botany
A vigorous braching creeper with succulent leaves and stems, rooting freely at the nodes. Leaves are ovate and short acuminate, the upper surface dark green to purple, with silver bands at the side. The undersurface is purple. Flowers are small and purple.

Distribution
Native to Mexico.
Popular as a ground cover.

Parts used
Leaves and stems.

Uses
Folkloric
No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
Elsewhere, used for treatment of common cold, hypertension, tuberculosis, uterine disorders.
A favorite Jamaican cold cure.
In combination with other herbs, used to purify the blood and for amenorrhea.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
 

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.
G. F. Asprey, M.Sc., Ph.D.. and Phyllis Thornton, B.Sc. (Liverpool), Botanist