This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Waltheria indica contains bioactive compounds including waltherione A, waltherione C, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins that contribute to its therapeutic effects. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to these constituents. Tannins provide astringent effects useful for wound healing and diarrhea, while alkaloids may contribute to analgesic activity. Evidence level: C (preclinical studies).
Does Waltheria indica interact with any medications?
There are no well-documented drug interactions for Waltheria indica in current literature. However, due to limited clinical research, caution is advised when combining with medications metabolized by the liver. The tannin content may potentially reduce absorption of certain drugs if taken simultaneously. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C.
What is the recommended dosage for Waltheria indica tea?
The traditional adult dosage for Waltheria indica is 3-5 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken three times daily. This preparation is commonly used for sore throat, respiratory infections, and digestive complaints. Dosage may vary based on the specific condition being treated. Always follow manufacturer guidelines if using commercial preparations. Evidence level: Traditional.
Is Waltheria indica safe during pregnancy?
Waltheria indica is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional use and available evidence suggest potential risks to the developing fetus, though specific teratogenic effects have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Pregnant individuals should not use this herb. Women who are breastfeeding should also exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider. Evidence level: C.
What is Waltheria indica used for in traditional medicine?
Waltheria indica is traditionally used for sore throat, respiratory infections, wound healing, pain, and diarrhea. In Hawaii, Africa, and the Caribbean, this pantropical shrub has a long history of use in folk medicine for these conditions. The herb's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties support its traditional applications for respiratory and skin conditions. Evidence level: C (preclinical studies supporting traditional use).
What are the side effects of Waltheria indica?
Waltheria indica may cause mild digestive upset in some individuals, including nausea or stomach discomfort. These effects are generally temporary and resolve with discontinued use. Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in individuals with known sensitivity to plants in the mallow family. Discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur and seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Evidence level: Traditional.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Waltheria indica is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Africa, South America, and Hawaii, primarily for treating inflammatory conditions and asthma [PMID:23608240, PMID:38975151].
Background
Waltheria indica L. (syn. Waltheria americana), also known as the 'sleepy morning plant', is a widely distributed plant in West Africa and other regions [PMID:23608240, PMID:38975151, PMID:40906737].
Traditional uses
It is used in traditional medicine against pain, inflammation, diarrhea, dysentery, conjunctivitis, wounds, abscess, epilepsy, convulsions, anemia, erectile dysfunctions, bladder ailments, asthma, and cancer [PMID:23608240, PMID:28359850].
Active compounds
Identified compounds include quinoline-4(1H)-one derivatives [PMID:37331574], quinolone alkaloids such as waltheriones A-V [PMID:26848627, PMID:33095014, PMID:30701660], flavonoids including quercetin, tiliroside, and (-)-epicatechin [PMID:15863905, PMID:33359867], and coumarinolignans (walthindicins A-F) [PMID:35630746].
Mechanism of action
The plant exhibits anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) [PMID:34885813, PMID:33359867], modulation of IL-1B, TNF-alpha, TNFRII, and NF-kappaB in human macrophages [PMID:31686273], and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production [PMID:37331574, PMID:15863905]. It also demonstrates bronchorelaxant activity on rat trachea [PMID:33995014, PMID:23789886].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation
Extracts and isolated flavonoids (quercetin, tiliroside) significantly inhibit NO, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 in activated macrophages [PMID:15863905].
Evidence DAsthma/Bronchoconstriction
Leafy stem extracts demonstrate a relaxant effect on acetylcholine- and potassium chloride-induced contractions in rat-isolated tracheal preparations [PMID:33995014].
Evidence DUlcerative Colitis
Aqueous extract of leafy stems was evaluated for effects on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats [PMID:39934536].
Evidence DTrypanosomiasis
Quinoline alkaloids from root extracts show potent in vitro growth inhibition toward Trypanosoma cruzi [PMID:26072041, PMID:25314007].
Safety & adverse effects
Administration of crude ethanolic root extract in male Wistar rats (400 and 800 mg/kg BW) resulted in a significant reduction in sperm count and motility and an increase in abnormal sperm cells [PMID:31433783].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bronchorelaxant potential, though some toxicity was noted in male reproductive parameters in rats.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 23608240 (2013) — Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Waltheria indica L. (syn. Waltheria americana): a review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 38975151 (2024) — A review of the safety profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bronchorelaxant activities of Waltheria indica Linn (Malvaceae): A potential antiasthmatic phytomedicine. · Heliyon
3.PMID: 37331574 (2023) — Anti-inflammatory quinoline-4(1H)-one derivatives from the aerial parts of Waltheria indica linn. · Phytochemistry
4.PMID: 34885813 (2021) — Activity-Guided Characterization of COX-2 Inhibitory Compounds in Waltheria indica L. Extracts. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 26848627 (2016) — Antifungal Quinoline Alkaloids from Waltheria indica. · Journal of natural products
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 31686273 (2020) — Anti-inflammatory activities of Waltheria indica extracts by modulating expression of IL-1B, TNF-α, TNFRII and NF-κB in human macrophages. · Inflammopharmacology
7.PMID: 30701660 (2019) — Control of root-knot nematodes using Waltheria indica producing 4-quinolone alkaloids. · Pest management science
8.PMID: 38371022 (2024) — The Potential of Cochlospermum tinctorium, Flueggea virosa, and Waltheria indica Traditional Plants From Burkina Faso in Treating Periodontitis: A Systematic Review. · Cureus
9.PMID: 33359867 (2021) — Identification of plant metabolite classes from Waltheria Indica L. extracts regulating inflammatory immune responses via COX-2 inhibition. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 36746775 (2023) — Anti-inflammatory Quinoline Alkaloids from the Roots of Waltheria indica. · Journal of natural products
11.PMID: 31433783 (2019) — Adverse reproductive effects of ethanolic root extract of Waltheria indica in male Wistar rats. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
12.PMID: 33095014 (2020) — Pyridine-4(1H)-one Alkaloids from Waltheria indica as Antitrypanosomatid Agents. · Journal of natural products
13.PMID: 28359850 (2017) — Cancer chemopreventive activity of compounds isolated from Waltheria indica. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
14.PMID: 40906737 (2025) — Investigation of Waltheria indica L. (sleepy morning plant) as pathogen killing agent from shallow well water revealed a potential alternative for water disinfection. · PloS one
15.PMID: 38825721 (2024) — Dereplication of 4-Quinolone Alkaloids from Waltheria Indica (Malvaceae) Tissues Using Molecular Network Tools. · Chemistry & biodiversity
16.PMID: 23789886 (2014) — Bioguidage search of active compounds from Waltheria indica L. (Malvaceae) used for asthma and inflammation treatment in Burkina Faso. · Fundamental & clinical pharmacology
17.PMID: 35630746 (2022) — Coumarinolignans with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and NF-κB Inhibitory Activities from the Roots of Waltheria indica. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
18.PMID: 26072041 (2015) — Chemical constituents from Waltheria indica exert in vitro activity against Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi. · Fitoterapia
19.PMID: 39934536 (2025) — Effects of aqueous extract of Waltheria indica (Sterculiaceae) leafy stems on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. · Inflammopharmacology
20.PMID: 25314007 (2014) — Antitrypanosomal quinoline alkaloids from the roots of Waltheria indica. · Journal of natural products
21.PMID: 30079739 (2018) — Total Synthesis of Waltherione F, a Nonrutaceous 3-Methoxy-4-quinolone, Isolated from Waltheria indica L. F. · Organic letters
22.PMID: 15863905 (2005) — Inhibitory effects of the flavonoids isolated from Waltheria indica on the production of NO, TNF-alpha and IL-12 in activated macrophages. · Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
23.PMID: 35270103 (2022) — Ethnobotanical Survey of Local Flora Used for Medicinal Purposes among Indigenous People in Five Areas in Lagos State, Nigeria. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
24.PMID: 17061789 (2006) — Distribution and frequency of galls induced by Anisodiplosis waltheriae Maia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on the invasive plant Waltheria indica L. (Sterculiaceae). · Neotropical entomology
25.PMID: 33815028 (2021) — Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Evaluation of Biofabricated Silver Nanoparticles from Endophytic Pantoea anthophila. · Journal of inorganic and organometallic polymers and materials
26.PMID: 20435124 (2010) — Evaluation of 13 selected medicinal plants from Burkina Faso for their antiplasmodial properties. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
27.PMID: 40244233 (2025) — Integrated Management of Bacterial Wilt and Root-Knot Nematode Diseases in Pepper: Discovery of Phenazine-1-Carboxamide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa W-126. · International journal of molecular sciences
28.PMID: 30398681 (2019) — The Synthesis of Waltherione F and Its Analogues with Modifications at the 2- and 3-Positions as Potential Antitrypanosomal Agents. · Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
29.PMID: 26312333 (2013) — Guerothrips moundi, gen. et sp.n. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from Chiapas, Mexico. · Zootaxa