Health Benefits of Stubborn Grass (Sida Acuta)

Every plant that exists including Stubborn Grass (Sida Acuta) has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. Although we see most of them as weeds and grasses, some of them also possess amazing health benefits that some of us may not even be aware of.

Today, we are going to be looking at the health benefits of a popular grass known as The stubborn grass.

Botanical name: Sida Acuta

Sida acuta (Stubborn Grass), is regarded as astringent, tonic and useful in treating urinary diseases and blood disorders, bile, liver and as treatment for nervous diseases.

Sida acuta, the common wireweed, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is believed to have originated in Central America, but today has a pantropical distribution and is considered a weed in some areas

Description of Stubborn Grass (Sida Acuta)

Plant– Undershrub, with mucilaginous juice, aerial, erect, cylindrical, branched, solid, green.

Leaves– Alternate, simple, lanceolate to linear, rarely ovate to oblong, obtuse at the base, acute at the apex, coarsely and remotely serrate; petiole much shorter than the blade; stipulate, stipules free-lateral, unequally paired at the node, reticulate venation.

Inflorescence– Cymose

Flower– Small, axillary, 2-3 in a cluster; pedicels jointed at the middle, epicalyx absent, complete,

bisexual, regular, actinomorphic, hypogynus, pentamerous, yellow.

Calyx- Sepals 5, gamosepalous, campanulate, slightly accrescent, persistent, valvate.

Corolla– Petals 5, polypetalous but slightly connate below and jointed with the staminal column,twisted.

Androecium– Stamens many,monadelphous, arranged on the staminal column; staminal column is shorter than the petals,divided above into numerous filaments, anthers monothecus, reniform, basifixed, filament short, extrorse.

Gynoecium– Carples 5, syncarpous, ovary superior,penta or multilocular with axile placentation, one ovule in each locule; style 1, passing through the staminal tube; stigma globular,correspond to the number of carples.

Fruit– A schizocarpic mericarp, seed 1 in each mericarp.

Classification and Identification

Class– Dicotyledonae

I) Reticulate venation.

II) Flower pentamerous.

Sub Class– Polypetalae

I) Petals free.

Series– Thalamiflorae.

I) Flower hypogynus; ovary superior.

Order– Malvales

I) Stamens indefinite, monadelphous.

II) Ovary 5 carpellary, placentation axile.

Family– Malvaceae

I) Plant- mucilaginous.

II) Leaves- Simple with free lateral stipule.

III) Flower- Bisexual,; petals 5, twisted; monadelphous stamen, anther one celled, reniformed.

Genus– Sida

I) Staminal column without teeth at apex.

II) Flowers without epicalyx.

III) Ovule 1 in each locule; seed 1 in each mericarp.

Species– S.acuta

I) Leaf base obtuse, apex acute.

Vernacular name in different native languages include the following;

Sanskrit– Bala; Bengali– Kureta/ Berela (in Tripura) ; Hindi– Kareta/ Kharenti ; Oriya– Siobala ; Gujrati– Bala/ Jangli menthi ; Marathi– Chikana ; Malayalam– Malatanni ; Tamil– Malaidangi ; Telegu– Nelabenda ; Kannada– Vishakaddi ; Sinhala– Gasbevila ; Burmese– Katsayna ; Yoruba-Ìsékètu. Floral formul of Sida acota- Br,+,K⁵,C⁵^,A_,G(⁵)

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Origin of Sida Acuta

This species of sida acuta (stubborn grass) may have originated in Central America, but it is now widespread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world (i.e. pan-tropical).

Naturalized Distribution

This plant is widely naturalised throughout the northern parts of Australia. It is most common in the coastal regions of central and northern Queensland and in the northern parts of the Northern Territory. Relatively common throughout the northern regions of Western Australia and other parts of northern Queensland.

Also recorded in other parts of the Northern Territory, in south-eastern Queensland, in the coastal central districts of New South Wales and on several offshore islands (i.e. Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands).

The plant is also widely naturalised overseas, including in eastern Asia (i.e. China and Taiwan) and on several Pacific islands (e.g. the Galápagos Islands, the Chuuk Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau and the Solomon Islands).

Habitat

A weed of tropical, semi-arid and occasionally also sub-tropical and warmer temperate regions. It invades open woodlands, pastures, waterways (i.e. riparian vegetation), plantations, crops, gardens, disturbed sites, roadsides and waste areas.

Habit

A long-lived (i.e. perennial) herbaceous plant or small shrub (i.e. sub-shrub) usually growing 30-100 cm tall, but occasionally reaching up to 1.5 m in height. However, it often behaves as a short-lived (i.e. annual) plant in the wet-dry savannas of northern Australia.

Distinguishing Features

The distinguishing features of this plant include the following;

• A long-lived herbaceous plant or small shrub growing 30-150 cm tall with slender, but tough, stems.
• Its yellowish-green leaves are usually elongated in shape with toothed margins and sharply pointed tips.
• Its flowers (1-2 cm across) are borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf forks on short stalks.
• These flowers have five yellow petals (6-9 mm long) and five sepals.
• Its fruit (2-6 mm across) break up into 5-8 wedge-shaped segments when mature.
• These one-seeded segments are topped with two sharp spines (0.5-1.5 mm long).

Stems and Leaves

The slender, yet wiry or slightly woody, stems are branched and either upright (i.e. erect) or spreading (i.e. ascending) in nature. They are sparsely covered with fine, star-shaped (i.e. stellate), hairs.

The leaves are alternately arranged along the stems and borne on short, hairy (i.e. pubescent) stalks (i.e. petioles) 3-7 mm long. These yellowish-green coloured leaves (12-95 mm long and 3-40 mm wide) are usually elongated in shape (i.e. lanceolate) with toothed (i.e. crenate or serrate) margins and pointed tips (i.e. acute or acuminate apices). They are hairless (i.e. glabrous) or sparsely covered in simple or star-shaped (i.e. stellate) hairs.

Flowers and Fruit

The yellow (rarely whitish) flowers (1-2 cm across) are borne singly or in small clusters in the upper leaf forks (i.e. axils). They are borne on short and slender stalks (i.e. peduncles) 2-8 mm long, that elongate up to 15 mm in fruit. Each flower has five pale yellow, yellow, or pale orange petals (6-9 mm long) and five mostly hairless sepals (5-8 mm long).

These pale green sepals are fused together at the base (i.e. into a calyx tube) and have pointed tips (i.e. acute calyx lobes). The flowers also have numerous (about 100) tiny stamens, with their bases fused to each other, and an ovary topped with a style that is divided into 6-10 branches near its tip.

Flowering occurs mostly during late summer, although it may occur throughout the year if conditions are favourable.

The fruit is a hard structure (i.e. schizocarp) that turns from green to dark brown as it matures. These small fruit (2-6 mm across and 3-5 mm high) break up into 5-8 one-seeded segments (i.e. mericarps) when fully mature.

These ‘seeds’ (i.e. mericarps) are wedge-shaped (1.5-2 mm long) and topped with two sharp awns (0.5-1.5 mm long). The true seeds are inside these mericarps, they are smaller (about 1.5 mm long) and reddish-brown to black in colour.

Reproduction and Dispersal

This species reproduces by seed, which readily attach to animals, clothing and other materials. Seeds may also be dispersed in mud and contaminated agricultural produce.

Environmental Impact

Spiny-head sida (Sida acuta) is regarded as an environmental weed in northern Australia (i.e. northern Queensland, the northern parts of the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia).

5 Health Benefits of Stubborn Grass (Sida Acuta)

1. For Rheumatism / Arthritis

For bacteria in the body system,severe waist pain, ankle pain,lower abdominal pain during menses, hormonal imbalance,irregular menses,watery sperm and quick ejaculation.

This dreaded disease refer as rheumatoid arthritis which normally develop symptoms like; deformation, joint pain, swollen ankle, and general inflammation of body.

In fact doctors and scientists have not figured out the real cause of this disease, but it is believe to be caused by polluted environment, smoking, life style, and genetic factors though our body normally form antibodies that fight virus and diseases.

It is a specialist in decreasing life expectancy, which have left many on the wheelchair and cause some people to look older and subjected to early death.

Today in Africa, a lot of people who often experience deformation and have their swollen ankle left with punch-hole, often keep malice with their suspected family members and neighbors as an architect to their problem, due to ignorant and mental slavery.

Here is a wonderful plant that God has deposited to help us in perfect treatment of this dreaded disease, but it required to work only if you reserve the rule and perfect preparation.

This plant is to be harvest early morning hour of 6:00 am dot before before the sunset, if not it won’t perform, and must be kept in cool in cool or wet place if you aren’t ready for immediate preparation.

Get 2 big balls of white onions ready, harvest three handful of this plant and wash it with water and salt.

Then cut in pieces and pour 4 liters of fresh water in a pot, cut the two balls of white onions and spray it on the top.

Boil it for maximum of 15 minute and filter the water for your healing. drink a glass for morning and night to testify of goodness of God!

2. For General Weakness

The feeling of body lethargy or tiredness is characterized as general weakness, also known as asthenia. Due to weakness, certain parts of the body may be unable to move adequately.

A general weakness is characterized by a lack of energy to move certain muscles, or possibly all muscles in the body. 

Only boil the leaf and consume one glass of it three times a day.

3. Insomnia

Add almond and bamboo leaves to Stubborn Grass (Sida Acuta) leaf with it. Bring to boil one glass full twice daily.

Read Also: List of 23 Healing Herbs in the Bible

Follow the following instructions to get the best out of stubborn leaves:

4. Back Ache

Backache, often known as back pain, is a type of back discomfort. The most common sign of back pain is an ache in the back, which can extend all the way down to the buttocks and legs. Some back problems can cause discomfort in other parts of the body, depending on which nerves are involved. 

The back is separated into three sections: Neck discomfort, back pain, and back pain (cervical) Back discomfort in the middle (thoracic) Depending on the afflicted segment, coccus unit (tailbone or sacral discomfort) or lower back pain (lumbar) may be experienced. The lumbar region is the most commonly impacted. 

Direction

Obtain a handful of tenacious grass and pineapple leaves. In a kettle or pot, bring everything to a boil. Back discomfort might be relieved by drinking one glass three times a day.

4. Infection of the Urinary Tract

Any portion of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder, or urethra, can get infected. Urinary tract infections normally originate in the bladder or urethra, but more serious infections affect the kidney. 

Infection of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is more common in women. Stiff grass can be used to treat urinary tract infections. 

Direction

Obtain a handful of obstinate grass. In a pot, bring it to a boil. 3 spoons of ash (Eeru) in the Yoruba language, Uyi in the Igbo language. After that, combine everything and filter it. Take one cup every morning and evening for seven days.

5. Problem with the Kidneys

Kidney illness can impair your body’s capacity to maintain blood pressure regulation, clean your blood, and filter excess water from your blood. It can also affect vitamin D metabolism, which is important for bone health and the production of red blood cells. 

Direction

Fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water and the root, then heat to a boil. 2 half-glasses of water per day.

Scientific Evidence and Case Studies on Stubborn Grass (Sida acuta)

​1. Anti-Malarial Activity: A study conducted by Karou et al. investigated the antimalarial potential of Sida acuta extracts against Plasmodium falciparum. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic and chloroform extracts exhibited significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity, validating the traditional use of the plant in treating malaria and fever in herbal medicine.

​2. Neutralization of Snake Venom: Research by Otero et al. evaluated the efficacy of Sida acuta leaf extracts in neutralizing the venom of the Bothrops atrox snake. The study found that the extract significantly inhibited the hemorrhagic and edema-forming effects of the venom, supporting its reputation in ethnomedicine as a first-aid treatment for snakebites.

​3. Gastroprotective and Anti-Ulcer Effects: An investigation by Malairajan et al. examined the anti-ulcer activity of Sida acuta ethanol extract in rats with aspirin and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. The findings revealed that the extract provided significant protection to the gastric mucosa, reducing the ulcer index and gastric juice volume comparable to the standard drug ranitidine.

​4. Hepatoprotective (Liver) Activity: A study by Sreedevi et al. assessed the effect of Sida acuta root extract on liver damage induced by paracetamol in rats. The data showed that the extract significantly lowered the elevated levels of serum liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and bilirubin, indicating a strong protective effect on liver cells against chemical toxicity.

​5. Antibacterial Properties: Research by Iroha et al. analyzed the antibacterial efficacy of Sida acuta leaf extracts against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results indicated that the hot water and ethanol extracts inhibited the growth of these bacteria, suggesting the plant is a potential source of natural antibiotics for treating wound infections.

​Nutritional Value Of Stubborn Grass (Sida acuta)

​1. Cryptolepine: This is the primary bioactive alkaloid found in Sida acuta.

It is the main compound responsible for the plant’s potent anti-malarial and antimicrobial properties, acting by inhibiting DNA synthesis in parasites and bacteria.

2. Saponins: The leaves and stems are rich in saponins, which are glycosides with foaming characteristics. These compounds contribute to the plant’s immune-boosting effects and its ability to act as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the respiratory tract.

​3. Flavonoids: The plant contains significant amounts of flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol. These act as powerful antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic inflammation.

​4. Tannins: Sida acuta contains tannins, which provide astringent properties. These biomolecules are effective in tightening tissues and are traditionally relied upon to treat diarrhea and dysentery by reducing inflammation in the intestinal tract.

​5. Phenolic Compounds: The presence of phenols in the plant contributes to its antiseptic and wound-healing abilities. These compounds help prevent infection in open wounds and accelerate the skin’s repair process when the leaves are applied topically.

​6. Cardiac Glycosides: Trace amounts of cardiac glycosides are found in the aerial parts. These compounds can influence heart rhythm and contraction force, contributing to the traditional use of the herb in managing certain cardiovascular conditions, though they require careful dosage.

​7. Terpenoids: The essential oil derived from the leaves contains terpenoids. These volatile compounds provide the plant with its distinct aroma and contribute to its insect-repellent and anti-inflammatory activities.

​Frequently Asked Questions About Stubborn Grass (Sida acuta)

​1. Why is it called “Stubborn Grass”?

It is named “Stubborn Grass” or “Wireweed” because it has a very tough, woody taproot that makes it extremely difficult to pull out of the ground by hand once established.

​2. Can Sida acuta cure malaria?

While studies show it has significant anti-malarial properties and is used traditionally for this purpose, it should be used as a complementary treatment under medical supervision, not as a replacement for prescribed medication in severe cases.

​3. Is Stubborn Grass safe for pregnant women?

No, it is traditionally used as an abortifacient (to induce abortion) and uterine stimulant, so it is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage.

​4. How is Stubborn Grass used for toothaches?

A decoction of the leaves is often used as a mouthwash, or the fresh leaves are chewed to release alkaloids that numb the area and reduce bacterial infection.

​5. Is the plant edible?

In some cultures, the young leaves are consumed as a vegetable, but it is primarily used as a medicinal herb due to its fibrous texture and potent chemical profile.

​6. Does it interact with other drugs?

Yes, due to its effect on the liver and potential to lower blood sugar, it may interact with diabetes medications and drugs metabolized by the liver.

​7. Can it be used for skin infections?

Yes, the juice from fresh leaves or a poultice is commonly applied to skin rashes, fungal infections, and wounds to speed up healing and prevent bacterial growth.

​8. Is Sida acuta an invasive weed?

Yes, in many agricultural areas and pastures, it is considered a noxious invasive weed that competes aggressively with crops and native vegetation.

Do you have any questions, suggestions, or contributions? If so, please feel free to use the comment box below to share your thoughts. We also encourage you to kindly share this information with others who might benefit from it. Since we can’t reach everyone at once, we truly appreciate your help in spreading the word. Thank you very much for your support and for sharing!

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. The health benefits described are based on scientific research and traditional knowledge. They ayre not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before using any herb or natural remedy for medical purposes.

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