BILLY GOAT WEED

Latin name: Ageratum conyzoides

Other name(s): shen hong ji; billy goat weed, white weed, bastard agrimony; A. ciliare, A. cordifolium 
Indonesian name: Bandotan, daun tombak, tempuyak

This herb is originated from the tropical America region. In Indonesia bandotan is a wild herb and well known as a gulma in garden and fields. In fact it can grow anywhere; home yards, roadsides, dikes, and the side of gutters at a height of 1,000 – 1,200 meters above sea level. The rotten leaves produce an unpleasant smell.

Bandotan is included in terna seasonal herb which grows erect with the lower part on a lying position and is about 30 – 90 centimeters high with branches. The stalk has long hairy filaments which become roots when it touches the soil. The leaf is oval in shape, 1 – 10 centimeters long and 0.5 - 1 centimeter wide, round at the base and a sharp tip, with serrated edges. Both surfaces of the leaf have long hairy filaments, with a green colored gland on the lower side of the leaf. It has 3 or more white flowers, 6 - 8 millimeters in diameter at the tip of a hairy stalk. Bandotan has small, black colored fruits.   

MEDICINAL PART: Whole plant

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS: Stimulant; tonic; antipyretic; antitoxic; reduce swelling; hemostatic; emenagogue; diuretic; carminative; phyto-insectiside

INDICATION: Fever; malaria; laryngitis; pneumonia; middle ear infection; hemorrhage like uterus bleeding, wound bleeding and nose bleeding; diarrhea, dysentery; colic; vomiting; excess gas in stomach; sprained ankle; rheumatism; birth control; exhaustion; oliguria; uterine tumors; hair care

DOSAGE AND USAGE: General: Decoction; boil 15 – 30 grams of dry herbs or 30 – 60 grams of the fresh one, and drink after cooling. Another way is to pound the fresh herb, and then squeeze out the juice and drink. For external use; pound fresh herbs until you get a fine , add a little coconut oil, and mix evenly. Apply to fresh wounds, e.g. boils, eczema or other skin infections like leprosy. You may as well grind the dry herb to fine powder, and blow the fine powder directly into the affected throat in laryngitis or sore throat. Fresh leaves can be steeped in boiled water, and use the water as eyewash or wound washing.

For specific indication as mentioned above the usage and dosage of Bandotan is as follows:

Middle ear infection

Wash adequate amount of the fresh herbs, grind until a fine substance, squeeze the ground herb and collect the juice, strain and use it as ear drops, 4 times 2 drops daily.

Bleeding wounds, boils and eczema

Wash adequate amount of fresh herbs, then pound until you get a fine mushy mixture. Apply the remedy directly to the wound, and wrap with a clean bandage. Change and replace the bandage 4 times daily until the condition gets better.

Boils and sores

Wash a whole plant of this herb, and add a fistful of spoiled rice and a tip of salt. Grind these ingredients until you get a fine mushy mixture. Apply directly to affected skin, and put on a bandage.

Rheumatism, sprain swelling

Pound a handful of fresh washed leaves and stalks of this herb, a fistful of spoiled rice and ½ teaspoon of salt all together until you get a mushy mixture. Apply this remedy to the affected swollen joint or area, and then put on a bandage. Let it stay for 1 – 2 hours, and then release the bandage. Do this 2 – 3 times daily.

Uterine bleeding, sprue, boils, bruised swelling

Boil 10 – 15 grams of Bandotan in 2 glasses of water until left to 1 glass. Strain after cooling, and drink the whole 1 glass. Do this 2 – 3 times a day.

Uterine tumors

Boil 30 – 60 grams of fresh herbs or 15 – 30 grams of dry herbs into 3 glasses of pure water until left to 1 glass. Drink 1 glass daily. You may as well pound the fresh herb, and squeeze out the juice, and drink it, once a day.

Laryngitis

(1)  Wash 30 – 60 grams of fresh herbs, and pound to a fine mixture, squeeze and strain. Add adequate amount of dissolved rock sugar and stir well. Drink this remedy 3 times daily.

(2)  Wash adequate amount of Bandotan leaves, and dry in the sun. Grind the dried leaves into a fine powder. Blow the powder directly into the affected throat.

Malaria, influenza

Boil 15 – 30 grams of this dry herb in 2 glasses of water until left to 1 glass. Strain after cooling, and drink the whole 1 glass. Do this 2 times daily.

Bloated stomach, nausea, vomiting

Wash a piece of medium size Bandotan fruit, cut to a few slices. Boil in 3 glasses of pure water until left to 1 glass. Strain after cooling and drink the whole 1 glass, 2 -3 times a day until the condition gets better.

Hair care

Wash fresh leaves and stalk of this herb, pound until you get an even mixture. Rub the mixture on the scalp and hair, spread evenly, and then wrap the head with a piece of cloth or towel. Let it stay for 2 – 3 hours, and then wash off with warm water and shampoo. Do this twice a week

REMARKS: Pregnant women are prohibited to take this remedy since it may cause miscarriage

IMPORTANT NOTE

The recipes and techniques mentioned in this page are not meant to replace diagnosis and treatment of a medical practioner. Before using any of these recipes, the author recommends to consult a physician. All the recipes has been used without any side effects and are considered safe. However, since some people have more sensitive skin or digestive system than others, and since the user’s actual recipe preparation is beyond the control of the author, the author accept no liability with regard to the use of recipes or techniques contained in this page