An annual plant (rarely biennial), which grows to a height of up to 30 cm. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to triangular-based, very variable in size from about 2-30 cm long and 1-15 cm broad, with larger leaves at the base of the plant and small leaves higher on the flowering stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, yellow-green, 3-4 mm diameter, maturing into a small hard dry lumpy fruit cluster 5-10 mm across containing several seeds.

Carminative and laxative (plant); alexeteric, antioxidant, antipyretic, antiviral, aperitif, astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, hypoglycemic, immunostimulant, laxative, litholytic, vermifuge (leaves); laxative and cooling (seeds)

Plants For A Future

Alanine, alpha-linolenic acid, arginine, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, beta-carotene, folacin, glutamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, kaempferol, leucine, lysine, methionine, myristic acid, niacin, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, pantothenic acid, phenyl alanine, riboflavin, stearic acid, thiamin, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine (plant); alpha-tocopherol, cephalin, ferulic acid, lecithine, oleic acid, p-coumaric acid, patuletin, quercetin, rutin (leaves)

The plant has been used in the treatment of urinary calculi and diabetes. The use of leaves as food has been found effective against a wide range of diseases including anemia , anorexia, arthrosis, asthma, biliousness, cancer, cardiopathy, cataract, cerebrosis,, cholecystosis, colitis, constipation, dementia, dyspnea, enterosis, fatigue, fever, gas, gastrosis, hepatosis, HIV, hyperglycemia, immunodepression, jaundice, leukoderma, leukorrhea, lumbago, maculosis, nyctalopia, osteoporosis, pulmonosis, retinosis, scabies, sore throat, spina bifida, stroke, water retention . It also causes mental stimulation. The seeds have been used in the treatment of difficult breathing, inflammation of the liver and jaundice.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 691, CRC Press July 2002.