A perennial herb with rhizome creeping horizontally under or close to the ground surface, stem 3-40(-50) cm long. Leaves 1-3 mm wide, canaliculate, scabrid on the margins in the upper part, grass-green. Inflorescence usually consisting of a single terminal head, involucral bracts (2-)3-4(-6), up to 6(-20) cm long, spikelets closely packed, 1(-2)-flowered; stamens 1-2(-3), stigmas 2. Fruit biconvex, laterally compressed, obovoid or ellipsoid, yellowish-brown.
Used as poultice for sores (pounded rhizome);in whooping cough, bronchitis, swelling pain in the throat and colds with fever (whole plant); against malaria and as a wash for skin pruritus (decoction of whole plant); taken internally against diarrhea and as a poultice for snake bites, furuncles and sprains (leaves).
Health Remedies 
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