An annual herb, 30—80 cm tall, stem and branches subglaucous. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 4—6 cm x 0.5 cm, margin subentire or sparingly serrate. Inflorescence composed of terminal and axillary, leafy verticillasters, often congested towards the apex, forming a cluster of 1.5—2 cm in diameter, bracts linear, 3—4 mm long, puberulous, calyx obliquely turbinate, 5—7 mm long, in fruit 8—9 mm long, glabrescent, mouth oblique, slightly constricted, teeth 7—10, posterior one much longer than the others, corolla 10 mm long, tube with a hairy ring near the middle, upper lip oblong, woolly, lower lip patent. Nutlets oblong, 2.5 mm x 1 mm, rounded at apex, inner surface angular, outer rounded, dark brown, pale at base.

Acts as an anthelminthic, stomachic, stimulant and diaphoretic (decoction of the leaves); febrifuge (roasted leaves).

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

Applied on wounds, particularly those with inflammation (fresh leaves); used externally in dermatosis (crushed leaves); as a poultice for old sores, in rheumatism and snakebite (decoction of leaves); dropped into the eyes, sniffed up into the nostrils, or used as a gargle to remove mucus (leaf juice).