Acalypha indica

Scientific name: Acalypha indica L. 

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Synonym: Acalypha chinensis Benth., Acalypha spicata Forssk.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Muktajhuri, Swetbasanta, Biralhatchi.

Tribal name: Salik kushhom (Tripura).

English name: Indian acalypha, Indian nettle.

Description of the plant: A small erect herb, ascending branches are angled and velvet-hairy. Leaves long-petiolate, mosaically arranged, broadly ovate, nearly triangular, crenate-serrate. Flowers are stalkless, borne on erect axilary spikes, male flowers minute, clustered near the summit of the spike, female flowers are solitary and scattered, each with a large and leafy bract. Fruit a capsule of 3 minute, 2-valved, crustaceous cocci.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Decoction prepared from the leaves of the plant is taken three times a day (10 ml amount each time) until the cold and cough is cured.

A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied on the infected skin once a day for seven days to treat scabies.

A powder is made with the roots of the plant is taken with warm water twice a day (5 gm amount each time) until the pneumonia is cured.

A decoction is made with the leaves of the plant are advised to take for the treatment of dysentery.

Powder or decoction is prepared from the leaves of the plant is taken to treat constipation.

Decoction of leaves used as instillation for earache.

The leaves of the plant are mixed with turmeric, which used for acne. 

Poultice of the plant is applied to treat of rheumatism, snake bite, insect bite, and headache.

Distribution: In fallow lands throughout the country.

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