Sigang-dagat
Ludwigia adscendens
Common
names
Gabi-gabi (Mag.)
Sigang-dagat (Tag.)
Botany
· Creeping or floating,
smooth herbaceous plant. Floating stem frequently exhibits cylindric
white vesicles and 1.5 to 5 cm long.
· Leaves: obovate to oblong-ovate, rounded or obtuse, 1.5
to 5 cm long the floating stem frequently with cylindric white
vesicles at the node.
· Flowers: 5-parted and borne in the axil of the leaves.
Calyx-lobes lanceolate, about 7 cm long. Petals, obovate, white,
pale yellow at the base and about 12 mm long. Stamens 8, inserted;
ovary 4-celled.
· Fruits: capsular, linear, cylindric, 2.3 cm long, about
3 mm in diameter, narrow at the base, and somewhat longitudinally
ridged.
Distribution
In the shallow waters of quiet
streams, in the shallow lakes and freshwater swamps, at low and
medium altitudes.
Parts
utilized
· Entire plant.
· Collect year round.
· Rinse, sun-dry or utilize fresh.
Properties
Plain or sweet tasting
Antipyretic, diuretic, cooling, antidote.
Antibiotic, antiphlogistic, alleviates swelling.
Folkloric
uses
· Decoction of 15-30
gms of dried material for colds with fever and cough; difficult
urination.
· Poultice of fresh materials to carbuncle, sprains, and
snakebites.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
