In South Asia, Southeast Asia and China, the plant is used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments including cough, fever, hypertension, diabetes, vision loss and diseases of the gastrointestinal and urinary systems. It is also used to promote lactation, weight loss and wound healing (Zhang et al., 2020). Some of these medical uses are supported by laboratory studies which have linked the plant's rich and diverse range of bioactive compounds to medicinally useful properties, such as anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity (Bunawan et al., 2015). However, it is important to note that there are compounds present in the raw plant that have led to damage to lung tissues and even death in people. More research is required to understand how the plant's medicinally useful compounds can be extracted and separated from other potentially harmful compounds in the plant.

Bunawan, H. et al. (2015). Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. induced bronchiolitis obliterans: from botanical studies to toxicology. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015: Article 714158, 7 pages.

Khoo, H.E. et al. (2015). Sauropus androgynus leaves for health benefits: hype and the science. The Natural Products Journal 5: 115-123.

Zhang, B.D. et al. (2020). Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.- A phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 257: Article 112778, 13 pages.