A shrub or small tree up to 10(-12) m tall, with bole up to 25(-30) cm in diameter, bark finely flaky fissured. Leaves ovate to ovate-rotundate, sometimes ovate-lanceolate, (5-)6.5-16(-20) cm x 4-10(-13.5) cm, mostly entire, sometimes serrate-denticulate in upper half, pubescent all over, especially beneath, petiolate. Flowers with pedicel 0.5-1.5 mm long, corolla greenish-white or pinkish-white. Fruit obovoid, 3-5 mm long, green turning black.

Diuretic (leaves); carminative (infusion of leaves); febrifuge (decoction of leaves or flowers); parasiticide (decoction of the shoot); sudorific, carminative and pectoral (decoction of the roots, leaves, flowers, and fruit).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Bureau of Plant Industry

The leaves, applied over the bladder, facilitate urination. The leaves, with coconut or sesame oil, are applied to the abdomens of the children to cure tympanites. The leaves are boiled in water, the water being used for bathing babies. An infusion of leaves is useful in treating beri-beri. A decoction of the fresh leaves is prescribed for vaginal irritation. It may be given also in syrup form for coughs. A decoction of leaves or flowers is used against abdominal pains and dysentery. Masticating the roots is prescribed against cardiac troubles. The plant is used as a headache cure.