Burweed, Congo jute, cousin mahoe, Urena lobata

Urena lobata belongs to Kingdom: Plantae, Subkingdom: Tracheobionta, Super division: Spermatophyta, Division: Mangoliophyta, Class: Mangoliopsida, Sub class: Dilleniidae, Order: Malvales, Family: Malvaceae, and Genus: Urena. It shows Antioxidant, antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Immunomodulatory, Antidiabetic/hypolipidemic, Antifertility, Wound healing and Antidiarrheal activities.

Roots of Urena lobata contain carbohydrate 33%, protein 1.9%, fat 1.8%, fiber 51.7%, moisture 6.6%, and ash 5%. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of methanol extract of leaves shown presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. Ethyl acetate portion and n‑butanol portion of a 95% ethanol extract of branches and leaves found ten flavonoid compounds, viz. kaempferol, rutin, quercetin, afzelin, astragalin, tiliroside, kaempferol‑3‑O‑β‑D‑glycopyranoside‑7‑O‑α‑L‑rhamnoside, kaempferol‑7‑O‑α‑L‑rhamnoside, kaempferol‑7‑O‑α‑L‑rhamnoside‑4’‑O‑β‑D‑glycopyranoside, and crenuloside. Raw leaves are reported to contain 81.8% moisture, 54 cal, 3.2 g of 57 protein, 0.1 g fat, 12.8 g carbohydrates, 1.8 g fiber, and 2.1 g ash, 558 mg calcium, and 67 mg of phosphorous per 100 g.

Medicinal Properties and Uses:

Whole plant paste applied for the treatment of rheumatic pains; twigs or stem cuttings used as tooth brush for healthy gums. The flowers, together with those of Sida rhombifolia, mixed with coconut flesh and eaten as a remedy for chickenpox. Flowers heated over fire and applied to sores, to open and draw out the infection. Flowers included in treatment for mental disorders and in oral remedies for fevers. Leaves used to treat burns, scalds, heat, hangover, fever; tender leaves poultice applied to wounds and cuts. Pounded leaves boiled in coconut oil applied to treat wounds, cuts; for swelling and bone fracture a paste of fresh leaves is applied; leaves of Urena lobata along with velamen root of Vanda roxburghii prepared into a paste applied for skin diseases. Leaf tea diuretic, for flu and stomachache, colds, cough, heat; leaf juice applied as eye drop in conjunctivitis. Root diuretic, an infusion in postpartum; roots of Sida rhombifolia, Urena lobata, Elaeagnus caudata and stem bark and roots of Bixa orellana and Randia dumetorum pounded together and boiled in water, the extract taken to cure jaundice. A decoction of roots of Dillenia indica with roots of Ficus auriculata and Urena lobata given in discharge of blood in urine; a decoction of rhizome of Curcuma aromatica with roots of Urena lobata and leaves of Tolypanthus involucratus given to expel catarrh; roots and leaves used to cure diarrhea; root powder given with milk in dog bite. Root extract an external application in rheumatic pains, cuts and wounds. For snakebite, chew the root with betel and spit onto the wound. Veterinary medicine, a paste of leaves and coconut oil smeared on wounds of cattle as insect repellent; leaves paste applied on wounds as an antidote to tiger bite; root tied to the neck of the cattle along with root of Stephania hernandifolia against maggots infection of ulcers.

Common Names:

in English: burweed, Congo jute, cousin mahoe
in Nigeria: bolo-bolo, ebe izeili, ka-fi-rama, okeriri, ramaniya, uwar-mangani
in Yoruba: ake iri, ake riri, akeri, bolobolo, ilasa agborin, ilasa omode, ilasa oyibo

in Borneo: kejumpang, keyumpang
in India: advai benda, agra, antursa, athamagua, bachata, bachita, bala-bhed, ban okhra, ban okra, banokhra, barsunbaralua, bekkina hejje gida, ben-ochra, bherekuro, bhidijanelet, bhidi janetet, bilokapasiva, bon vendi, bonokra, chikana, chutungniary, dodda bende, gamthai, hamsapaadi, hon-bonolua, jongolo joto, ka-sin-rioh, kaadu thutthi, kasinrah, kasinrih, katshinin, kunjia, kurinji, kurunthoti, lapetua, lataunga, lirga, lotloti, mota-behedi-janelet, naikkal poondu, nalla benda, naunthe-araung, ottatti, otte, ottututti, pedda benda, peddabenda, piliyamankena, pithia, rantupkada, sampakpi, samtha-kkhari, samthakkhari, soh-byrthil, sombarial, tapkote, thuthippovu, tupkato, udiram, unga, uram, uran, vagadau bhindo, valta epala, van bhendi, vana benda, vanabhenda, vanabendha, vanabhenda, vatkai, vatto, wagdau, wagdau bhendi, wanbhendi
in Indonesia: bunga mawar, bunga peletut, legetan, pulutan, udu njau lupang

in Japan: ôba-bonten-ka (bon-ten = Buddha’s heaven)
in Malaysia: kelulut, pepulut, pulut, pulut lembu, pulut pulut
in Nepal: nalu kuro
in Philippines: anonongkot, baranggot, barangot, dalupang, kollokollot, kulit, kulokullot, kulotan, kulukulut, kulut, kulutkulutan, malopolo, mangkit, palisin, puriket, saligut, supang
in Tonga: mo’osipo