Medicinal herb used in Ayurveda.The seeds are used as a flavouring, and a herbal tea is made from the dried leaves
The plant is prostrate to ascending annual herb to 25 cm Stems pilose, more so on one side.
Leaves ovate to broadly ovate, wide, margins serrate, at least some with a pair of basal setae 3 to 5 mm long, rounded at base, acute or subacute, with scattered pubescence mainly on veins and midrib; petioles long, pilose, stipules 5 to 8 mm long, pilose. Inflorescences of 1 to 2 flowered fascicles, peduncles up to 2 mm, pilose. pedicels up to 2 mm, glabrous bracts up to 2.7 mm long, ciliate. Petals 5, oblanceolate, ciliate at base. Capsule solitary, squat, straight or slightly curved, 1 to 2.6 cm long, Seeds somewhat angular.The leaves are demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. They are used in the treatment of chronic cystitis, gonorrhea, and dysuria. A cold infusion is said to restore the appetite and strength. The seeds are purgative. Injections of olitoriside, an extract from the plant, markedly improve cardiac insufficiencies and have no cumulative attributes; hence, it can serve as a substitute for strophanthin.
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%