Description 

    Alternanthera sessilis is a perennial (sometimes annual) herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family . It is a highly variable plant, often growing prostrate (spreading along the ground) or ascending, with a typical height of 10-45 cm, though it can sometimes reach up to 1 meter . The stems are cylindrical, often branching freely, and can root at the nodes. They may be greenish, pink, or purplish, with lines of whitish hairs .

    The leaves are simple, opposite, and stalkless or with a very short petiole. Their shape is highly variable, ranging from linear-lanceolate to oblong or obovate, typically measuring 1-8 cm in length . A key identifying feature is the small, white, stalkless flowers that arise directly from the leaf axils (the angle between the leaf and the stem), either singly or in clusters of 1-4, which gives the species its name sessilis . The plant produces small, flattened, dark brown fruits (utricles) that contain one shiny brown seed . It thrives in moist or wet habitats such as ditches, roadsides, rice fields, swamps, and disturbed areas across tropical and subtropical regions.

    Common names (including Nigerian) 

    • English: Sessile Joyweed, Carpet Weed, Dwarf Copperleaf .
    • French: Brède chevrette, Magloire
    • Portuguese: Periquito-sessil
    • Hindi: Gudrisag
    • Yoruba: Dagunro
    • Igbo: Nnu ana

    Health Benefits 

    Alternanthera sessilis is valued in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial properties. Key reported benefits include: 

    • Eye health: Rich in vitamin A, carotenoids, and antioxidants; traditionally used to treat night blindness (nyctalopia) and conjunctivitis (often as an eye wash). 
    • Liver support: Hepatoprotective effects shown in studies; used for managing jaundice, hepatitis, and liver congestion. 
    • Blood sugar regulation: Demonstrates antihyperglycemic activity in animal models, supporting traditional use for diabetes. The dietary fibre found in the leaves has been shown to significantly reduce postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose levels in diabetics.
    • Wound healing and skin health: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial; applied for cuts, ulcers, acne, and skin diseases. 
    • Pain and fever relief: Analgesic and antipyretic; used for headaches, vertigo, and general fever. 
    • Antioxidant Properties: The plant contains high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, which contribute to its potent antioxidant activity, helping to combat oxidative stress in the body .
    • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health: The green cultivar is traditionally used to treat hypertension and asthma. Scientific studies have confirmed its Ca++ channel blocking (CCB) activity, which relaxes smooth muscles in blood vessels and the airways, thus lowering blood pressure and relieving asthma symptoms .
    • Gastrointestinal Relief: It is widely used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Studies have validated its anti-spasmodic effect on the jejunum, which helps relieve intestinal cramps and diarrhoea .
    • Anti-inflammatory Properties: Helps reduce inflammation and may be beneficial in conditions like arthritis.
    • Wound Healing: Leaves are applied to cuts and wounds to promote faster healing.

    Key traditional Nigerian uses include:

    • Headache and vertigo: The whole plant is pounded into a paste and applied or taken internally to relieve headaches and dizziness (vertigo). This is one of the most consistently documented uses across ethnobotanical surveys in southwestern Nigeria.
    • Neuralgia and nerve-related pain: The leaf sap is extracted and sniffed into the nose as a remedy for neuralgia (nerve pain).
    • Snakebite: The plant is used (often boiled or as an astringent preparation) in the treatment of snakebites, sometimes in combination with its astringent properties for wound management.
    • Boils and skin infections: It serves as a plaster or poultice for diseased or wounded skin parts, including boils, due to its reported antimicrobial and wound-healing effects.
    • Hypertension: Leaves and shoots are boiled and the decoction drunk as a traditional antihypertensive remedy.
    • Fertility enhancement: In some Nigerian communities, the plant is used to support female fertility and address infertility issues.
    • Eye health and night blindness: Rich in vitamin A and carotenoids, it is traditionally consumed or prepared (e.g., as an eye wash or in soups) to improve vision and treat nyctalopia (night blindness). Some accounts suggest eating the flowers raw for this purpose.
    • Liver-related conditions: Although more prominently documented in other regions (e.g., hepatitis and jaundice), Nigerian traditional healers sometimes incorporate it for liver support, aligning with its broader hepatoprotective reputation.
    • Other uses: It may be employed for general fever, digestive issues (such as diarrhea or stomach disorders), and as an astringent. In some contexts, it appears in remedies for respiratory complaints or as part of broader herbal soups for overall wellness.

    Other benefits 

    Beyond direct health applications, Alternanthera sessilis has other uses:

    • Edible Vegetable: The leaves and tender shoots are eaten as a cooked vegetable or raw in salads across Africa and Asia . It serves as a nutritious edible leafy vegetable (similar to spinach), rich in proteins, fiber, vitamins (A and C), iron, calcium, and minerals. It is used in soups and sauces in countries like Nigeria and Benin.
    • Wound Healing: In several countries, including Nigeria and Malaysia, the plant is pounded into a paste and applied externally to treat wounds, boils, and skin inflammation . It is also used to draw out spines or other foreign objects from the skin .
    • Veterinary Medicine: The plant is used in veterinary medicine in countries like Kenya .
    • Ornamental: While often considered a weed, it can be used as a groundcover, and some cultivars with reddish leaves are grown for their ornamental foliage.
    • Livestock Feed: Used as fodder due to its high nutritional content. It acts as animal fodder (for ducks, pigs).
    • Soil Stabilization: Ecologically, its creeping habit provides ground cover and helps stabilize soil in wet areas.
    • Aquatic Ecosystems: Provides habitat for small aquatic organisms.

    How it is used 

    – Culinary: Young shoots and leaves are harvested and cooked like spinach—boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or added to soups, sauces, and relishes. In Nigeria, it is commonly used in soups. 

    • As Food: The leaves and young shoots are harvested from the wild. They are blanched, boiled, or stir-fried as a leafy vegetable (preferred cooked to reduce oxalates). They can be added to soups, stews, and sauces, or eaten raw in salads. Often combined with other greens or used alone as a nutritious dish.
    • As Medicine: The whole plant or specific parts are used in various forms:
      • Decoction/Infusion: The plant is boiled in water to make a tea or infusion for treating internal issues like diarrhoea, diabetes, fever, and dysentery.
      • Paste: The pounded fresh plant is applied directly to the skin as a poultice for wounds, boils, and headaches and vertigo.
      • Juice: Leaf sap is extracted and sniffed to treat neuralgia (nerve pain), headaches or taken orally.
      • Powder: Dried leafy twigs are ground into a powder and applied to snakebites.
      • Eye Wash: Eye washes are prepared from boiled leaves.
      • Others: It is sometimes incorporated into hair oils or eye preparations. Sometimes included in herbal mixtures for detoxification.

    Side Effects/Caution 

    • Generally Recognized as Safe: Alternanthera sessilis has been consumed as a vegetable for centuries, and toxicity evaluations have revealed an absence of adverse effects from plant extracts.
    • Oxalate: It contains oxalates (common in the Amaranthaceae family), so large quantities should be boiled to reduce potential kidney stone risk or mineral binding.
    • Abortifacient Properties: It is important to note that the plant has been traditionally used as an abortifacient (to induce abortion) in India. Therefore, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women without the strict supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
    • Pesticide Contamination: As the plant is often collected from the wild, including roadsides and agricultural fields, it may be contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, or environmental pollutants. It should only be harvested from clean, unpolluted areas.
    • High Doses and Overconsumption: High doses of extracts may cause mild digestive upset (loose stools, abdominal discomfort) or diuretic effects; avoid in cases of hypotension or unmanaged kidney issues. 
    • Allergic Reactions: Rare allergic reactions (rash, itching) possible with topical use. Always seek professional medical advice before using medicinally, especially alongside pharmaceuticals, as it is not a substitute for conventional treatment.
    • Medical Conditions: Individuals with chronic illnesses should consult a healthcare professional before medicinal use.
    • Invasive Potential: While not a direct health side effect, it is worth noting that the plant is a fast-growing, noxious weed in many parts of the world, capable of outcompeting native flora and becoming a pest in agricultural land.

    References (MLA format) 

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    • “Alternanthera sessilis.” IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, 2005, www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=767. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • “Alternanthera sessilis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Apr. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternanthera_sessilis. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • “Health Benefits of Sessile Joyweed (Alternanthera Sessilis).” Healthier Steps, 14 Sept. 2023, healthiersteps.com/health-benefits-of-sessile-joyweed-alternanthera-sessilis/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • “Yoruba Useful Angiosperm Plants.” PMC, 2021 (Ajao et al.), pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8733184/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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    • Bhuyan, B., et al. “Effects of Alternanthera sessilis on Liver Function in Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wister Rat Model.” PMC, 2017, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5891458/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • Burkill, H. M. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1985.
    • Dalziel, J. M. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies, 1937.
    • Gayathri, J., et al. (via IUCN GISD). “Alternanthera sessilis (Sessile Joyweed).” IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, 2005, www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=767. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • Grubben, G. J. H., and O. A. Denton, editors. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2: Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, 2004.
    • Hwong, Chia Shing, et al. “Alternanthera Sessilis: Uncovering the Nutritional and Medicinal Values of an Edible Weed.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 298, 2022, p. 115608. PubMed, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115608 .
    • Jansen, P. C. M. “Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC.” PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), prota.prota4u.org. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026. 
    • Jansen, P.C.M. “Alternanthera Sessilis (PROTA).” PlantUse, 28 Apr. 2018, plantuse.plantnet.org/en/Alternanthera_nodiflora_(PROTA) .
    • National Parks Board (NParks). “Alternanthera Sessilis.” Flora Fauna Web, Singapore Government, 29 Jan. 2026, www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/6/1656 .
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    • Saqib, Fatima, and Khalid Hussain Janbaz. “Rationalizing Ethnopharmacological Uses of Alternanthera Sessilis: A Folk Medicinal Plant of Pakistan to Manage Diarrhea, Asthma and Hypertension.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 182, 2016, pp. 110-21. Traditional Medicine Library, search.tradmedlibrary.org/tmgl/resource/en/mdl-26900127 .
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    • Uddin, M. K., et al. “Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Alternanthera sessilis.” Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, vol. 7, no. 25, 2013, pp. 1907–1915.