Medicinal Uses and Healing Properties of the Chua Le Plant (Emilia sonchifolia)

By Life & Wellness – September 5, 2025

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Introduction: A Wild Herb with Powerful Healing Energy

The Chua Le plant, also known as Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. from the Asteraceae (Daisy) family, is a wild annual herb that grows abundantly across Vietnam. In different regions, it is also called Purple Tassel Flower, Lilac Tassel, or Rau chua lè in Vietnamese.

This humble weed thrives even in poor, sandy soils and sunny fields where other plants struggle to survive. Beyond its resilience, it offers both culinary and medicinal value, making it a treasured herb in traditional Vietnamese medicine.

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Botanical Description

When young, Chua Le plants have round, lyre-shaped leaves that resemble those of the Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica). As they mature, the upper leaves become deeply lobed and feather-like, ending in oval or triangular tips. The plant produces pink to purple flower heads, which bloom beautifully before turning fluffy with age.

Its fruit is small and covered with fine bristles, allowing it to disperse easily by wind — one reason this plant is so widespread in Vietnam’s countryside, along rice fields, paths, and meadows.

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Edible Uses: A Refreshing Summer Vegetable

Besides being a medicinal herb, Chua Le is also edible. In rural areas, people use its young leaves and tender shoots to make soups, boil with shrimp, or eat raw with dipping sauces. The flavor is mildly sour with a hint of bitterness — refreshing and unique.

At the beginning of the 20th century, some even suggested using Chua Le as a summer salad green, similar to lettuce, mixed with vinegar or oil dressing. Its slightly tangy taste helps stimulate appetite and aids digestion.

Because it grows well even in sandy or arid regions, Chua Le is considered a sustainable food source for local communities.

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Medicinal Uses in Traditional Medicine

In traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine, the whole plant (fresh or dried) is used for treatment. It has a bitter taste, neutral nature, and provides the following key benefits:

• Clears heat and detoxifies the body

• Reduces swelling and inflammation

• Promotes urination and relieves dampness

• Heals wounds and treats infections

Typical dosage: 15–30 grams of dried herb per day (or 60–100 grams if using the fresh plant).

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Common Healing Applications

1. Colds, Fever, and Sore Throat
   The herb helps reduce fever and treat inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. It is often combined with other cooling herbs to ease flu symptoms, sore throat, or oral ulcers.

2. Mild Pneumonia or Coughs
   Drinking decoctions of Chua Le can soothe the lungs, reduce coughs, and improve breathing.

3. Digestive Inflammation and Dysentery
   Boil 60–100 grams of the whole plant in water and drink the decoction. It can also be combined with Sài Gút (Oldenlandia herbacea) — about 30–50 grams — to enhance anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Urinary Tract and Reproductive Infections
   Combine 30 grams each of Chua Le and Plantain (Mã đề), then boil and drink. This mixture helps relieve painful urination, frequent urination, or urinary inflammation.

5. Skin Problems: Rashes, Sores, Eczema, and Boils
   Fresh leaves can be crushed and applied directly to the affected area to draw out pus, reduce swelling, and speed up healing.
   For measles or skin rashes, boil the stems and leaves in water and use it for bathing or washing the skin.

6. Inflammations and Injuries
   The plant can help treat mastitis (breast inflammation), orchitis (testicular inflammation), or minor wounds due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory nature.

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Scientific Insight and Modern Interest (Expanded Section)

Modern studies have begun confirming some of the traditional claims. Extracts of Emilia sonchifolia show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Certain compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids contribute to its therapeutic potential.

Preliminary research suggests it may also help reduce blood sugar, protect the liver, and enhance immunity, though more clinical evidence is needed.

With increasing interest in natural remedies and sustainable herbal medicine, the Chua Le plant is now being revisited by researchers for its pharmacological value.

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Precautions and Usage Notes

• Use in moderation and under guidance from a qualified herbalist or physician.

• Avoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae).

• Always wash the herb thoroughly if harvested in the wild to remove dirt or potential contaminants.

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Conclusion: A Hidden Treasure of Vietnamese Herbal Medicine

The Chua Le plant is a remarkable example of how nature hides healing power in the simplest forms of life. From its role as a modest wild vegetable to a potent traditional medicine, it serves as both food and remedy.

By appreciating and protecting plants like Emilia sonchifolia, we preserve not only biodiversity but also centuries of traditional wisdom passed down through generations.

So next time you come across a patch of purple Chua Le flowers on a roadside field, remember — this humble herb carries a quiet strength, nourishing the body and soothing the soul.

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✅ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare professional before using any herbal treatment.