 Botany
Chang-bato is a slender, much-branched, erect, smooth, annual herb, 10 to 50 centimeters high, with four-angled stems. Leaves are opposite and very thin; the lowers ones are lanceolate, 4 to 7 centimeters long, and pointed at both ends; the upper leaves are much smaller and ovate, gradually merging into bracts. Flowers are slender stalks, about 1 centimeter in length, borne in lax, diffuse panicles. Calyx is 5 to 6 millimeters long, with slender teeth. Corolla is white and has four lobes, 2 of which are longer than the others. Fruit is an oblong capsule, and as long as the calyx.
Distribution
- In Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Bontoc, Benguet, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Quezon Provinces in Luzon; and in Mindoro.
- On cliffs and
In ravines along streams from sea level to an altitude of 1,500 meters.
- Also occurs in tropical Asia and Africa through Malaya to tropical Australia.
Properties
Considered laxative, alterative, and nerve tonic.
Parts used
Entire plant.
Uses
Edibility / Culinary
In the Philippines, plant has been used as substitute for tea.
Folkloric
- Entire plant, in decoction, used as tonic and antigastralgic.
- Used as substitute for C. decussata, which is a laxative, alterative and nerve tonic.
Studies
• Glycosyloxyflavan / Diffutin: Study has isolated a glucosyloxyflavan, diffutin. Glucosyloxyflavans, individually or in combination, are reported to produce varying degrees of adaptogenic (anti-stress / anti-anxiety) activity in animal models.
• Antioxidant / Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition: Study analyzed the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of five medicinal plants, including C. diffusa. C diffusa was one four that showed dose-dependent acetylcholinesterase inhibition and significant DPPH radical scavenging.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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