Known in Vietnam as cỏ mần trầu, this humble grass has long been valued in Traditional Eastern Medicine for its cooling, detoxifying, and blood-regulating effects. Despite being a common weed found throughout tropical Asia, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. — also called Goosegrass, Cow Grass, or Wiregrass — is a powerful natural remedy with both ancient and scientifically proven benefits.

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🌾 Botanical Description

Eleusine indica belongs to the Poaceae (grass) family. It is a small annual herb that grows abundantly in warm, humid climates — from the lowlands to high mountainous regions.

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Stems: Creeping at first, later erect and branching

• Leaves: Flat, slender, alternately arranged with soft hairs at the sheath base

• Flowers: Clustered in 5–7 slender spikes radiating from a single point, resembling a fan shape

• Fruiting season: Typically May to July

Because of its shape, E. indica is sometimes confused with Dactyloctenium aegyptium (crowfoot grass), but the latter has shorter stems and tighter flower clusters.

According to the Vietnam Institute of Medicinal Plants (2023), E. indica is a hardy plant that thrives even in poor soil, which explains its widespread presence in rural and urban landscapes.

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🌿 Medicinal Characteristics in Traditional Medicine

In Vietnamese and Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM), cỏ mần trầu is described as having a sweet, slightly bitter taste and a cool (hàn) nature. It acts mainly on the liver, kidney, and urinary meridians, with the following effects:

• Clears heat and detoxifies the liver

• Promotes urination and reduces internal inflammation

• Relieves fever and supports blood circulation

• Eases swelling and reduces hypertension

• Helps calm the fetus and alleviate pregnancy-related heat symptoms

It has traditionally been used to treat:

• Headache, dizziness, and mild hypertension

• Fever and sore throat

• Urinary retention or yellow urine

• Postpartum inflammation

• Skin rashes, boils, and mouth ulcers

• Heat-induced restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia

In Malaysian folk medicine, the juice of E. indica is given to postpartum women to help expel lochia (post-birth fluids).
In Chinese herbal records, it is used to treat hepatitis, nephritis, dysentery, and epidemic encephalitis.

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🧪 Active Compounds and Modern Pharmacological Studies

Modern research has confirmed that Eleusine indica contains several bioactive compounds responsible for its medicinal effects.
Chemical analysis has identified:

• Flavonoids (C-glycosylflavones)

• β-sitosterol derivatives

• Palmitoyl esters

• Phenolic acids

• Tannins and alkaloids

These compounds provide a range of anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant actions.

1️⃣ Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021) found that extracts of E. indica at 600 mg/kg reduced fever in test animals as effectively as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, 100 mg/kg).
Researchers observed that the extract inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and suppressed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis — the same pathway targeted by many modern anti-inflammatory drugs.

2️⃣ Antihypertensive Action

In animal studies, E. indica extract demonstrated a blood pressure–lowering effect comparable to Losartan (12.5 mg/kg) in models of L-NAME-induced hypertension (Asian Journal of Traditional Medicine, 2020).
The mechanism appears to involve restoration of nitric oxide (NO) production, improving vascular relaxation and kidney filtration.

3️⃣ Antimicrobial Activity

Laboratory testing has shown that E. indica extracts inhibit bacterial growth against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella choleraesuis.

A 2019 NCBI study concluded that its moderate antibacterial properties make it a useful adjunct in treating skin infections and minor wounds.

4️⃣ Kidney Protection

In rodent studies, E. indica extract (200 mg/kg) significantly improved creatinine, urea, and electrolyte balance, protecting against L-NAME-induced renal damage. The results were comparable to Losartan-treated groups. (Phytomedicine Research, 2022).

5️⃣ Liver Protection and Cholesterol Regulation

Hexane extracts of E. indica reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides while increasing HDL-C in obese test animals.

Researchers at the University of Malaya (2022) concluded that the plant’s flavonoids enhance liver detoxification enzymes, supporting its use for fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia.

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🌸 Traditional Herbal Formulas Using Eleusine indica

🌿 For High Blood Pressure

• 500 g fresh E. indica, crushed and mixed with 1 cup of cooled boiled water.

• Filter, add a small amount of sugar, and drink twice daily (morning and afternoon).

🌿 For High Fever

• 120 g fresh E. indica boiled in 600 ml water until 400 ml remains.

• Add a pinch of salt and divide into several doses over 12 hours.

🌿 For Jaundice and Liver Heat

• 60 g E. indica + 30 g Gardenia jasminoides (Zhi Zi).

• Boil and drink 2–3 times daily.

🌿 For Urinary Infections or Red Rashes

• 16 g E. indica + 16 g Imperata cylindrica (cỏ tranh).

• Decoction taken throughout the day.

🌿 To Cool the Body and Calm the Fetus

• 8 g each: E. indica, Centella asiatica, Eclipta prostrata, Artemisia vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Bidens pilosa; plus 2 g ginger, 4 g lemongrass, 4 g dried tangerine peel.

• Boil together and drink warm.

🌿 For Hair Graying and Fatigue

• 10 g E. indica, 15 g Eucommia ulmoides, 15 g Schefflera heptaphylla, 25 g Smilax glabra, 5 g Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and 5 g Adenosma caeruleum.

• Simmer and drink before meals.

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⚠️ Precautions and Usage Notes

Although E. indica is generally safe when used properly, practitioners recommend caution:

1. Clean thoroughly before use. The plant often grows in contaminated soil and can carry dust or pathogens.

2. Avoid long-term or excessive use. Continuous consumption may affect internal organ balance due to its cooling nature.

3. Consult a doctor. Especially for individuals with chronic illness, kidney disease, or pregnancy.

4. Avoid use in young children unless under professional supervision.

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2023) notes that even beneficial herbal medicines should be used under expert guidance to avoid drug-herb interactions or overuse toxicity.

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🌱 Summary

From ancient folk remedies to modern pharmacological research, Eleusine indica — cỏ mần trầu — continues to prove its worth as a versatile medicinal herb.
Its traditional roles in detoxification, fever reduction, and blood regulation are now supported by scientific evidence showing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and organ-protective properties.

Used with care and understanding, this humble weed from rice fields and roadsides embodies the harmony between traditional wisdom and modern science. 🌿