Prickly Chaff Flower is found in all tropical and subtropical regions. This plant has been used in traditional medicine in several countries, including Australia and Kenya. Likewise, in India, it is well-known as a medicinal plant and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments. Research has shown that plant extracts have antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties.

This plant is found in tropical areas and dry open places, forests, bushes, grasslands at an altitude of between 2,000-3,000 m above sea level. Rainfall ranges from 700-1,300 mm/year.

• The taproot is dirty white.

• The stem is angular, reddish-brown, and has numerous branches.

• The leaves are single, green, ovate, hairy, tapering at the base and tip, with pinnate veins. The leaves measure 1-10 x 1-5 cm, and the petiole is 5-15 mm long.

• The flowers are compound, spike-shaped, appearing at the tip of the stem or branch, and are greenish-white.

• The fruit is oval or ovoid, indehiscent.

• The seeds are oval, brown, 2-3 mm long.

• Propagation is done generatively using seeds.

It is used to promote urination, rheumatism, stomach ache, menstrual pain, swollen feet, mumps, fever, has activity as an anti-arthritic, purgative, anti-asthma, diuretic, antimalarial, estrogenic, anti-leprotic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, antibacterial, treatment for beriberi, pneumonia, cough, toothache, gonorrhea, syphilis, hemorrhoids, and dysentery.

Alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tanin, terpenoid, oleonolic acid, dihydroxy ketones, aliphatic acid, phytosterol strigmasta, triacontanol, hydroquinone, minyak atsiri.