The plant grows wild in freshwater marshes and swampy fields, and along ditches, canals, and streams in many Asian countries. In Southeast Asia, the strongly celery-flavored leaves of O. javanica or selum are consumed raw as ulam during meals.
Multiple studies have reported health-promoting effects of O. javanica in different experimental models, including anti-oxidative and anti-mutagenic activity in colon cancer cells. The leaves is known to have an antimutagenic effect against aflatoxin B1 due to its flavonoids and the capability to remove heavy metals, such as Cadium and Plumbum in polluted water
In Korea, O. javanica is consumed as salad or seasoning, and its soup is drunk to clear hangovers from alcohol intoxication.
It is also used in China for jaundice, fever, hypertension, abdominal pain, and urinary difficulties, as well as for eliminating pathogenic wind.
The anti-diabetic effect of O. javanica flavones on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic mice has been reported. Daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 10 days decreased blood glucose level in hyperglycaemic mice. The compounds stimulated the secretion of insulin in both normal and diabetic mice, and decreased serum triglyceride and ameliorated the activity of pancreatic amylases in diabetic mice.
O. javanica has constituents of phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids, notably, persicarin and isorhamnetin.
Medical properties
of Oenanthe javanica
