Acalypha indica: A Traditional Medicinal Plant with Hidden Risks for G6PD-Deficient Individuals

Acalypha indica, commonly known as Indian nettle, Kuppaimeni (in Tamil), or Kuppameniya (in Sinhala), is a tropical weed widely found across Asia, Africa, and parts of the Americas. While it’s commonly used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties, this plant poses serious risks for individuals with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Description & Traditional Uses

Taxonomy & Appearance
A calypha indica is an herbaceous annual from the Euphorbiaceae family, characterized by ovate leaves and small inflorescences. It thrives in tropical climates. (Wikipedia, ScienceDirect)

Traditional Medicinal Uses
Across various systems of traditional medicine, it has been used for:

• Respiratory ailments: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, as an expectorant.
• Digestive and antiparasitic effects: as a diuretic, purgative, anthelmintic, and for treating gastric disorders.
• Skin and wound healing: soothes scabies, burns, ulcers, maggot-infested wounds, and skin infections.
• Other uses: anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, rheumatism relief, and wound healing.
• Some studies even cite potential uses in anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, and anti-venom contexts. (PubMed, IJPSR, journalejmp.com, jchr.org, ResearchGate)

The plant’s phytochemical profile includes flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides (like acalyphin), and other active compounds. (Wikipedia, IJPSR)

Nutritional Use

While sometimes consumed as a vegetable—particularly in some African and South Asian cuisines—it is not widely eaten due to its bitter taste and presence of potentially harmful compounds, including cyanogenic glycosides. (Wikipedia)

Risks for G6PD-Deficient Individuals

G6PD deficiency is a hereditary condition where red blood cells are highly susceptible to oxidative stress. When triggered, this can result in acute hemolysis (rapid red blood cell destruction). (Wikipedia)

Confirmed Cases of Acalypha indica-Induced Hemolysis

• Sri Lanka: A middle-aged man developed severe hemolytic anemia after consuming Acalypha indica as a vegetable (“mallum”). He required blood transfusion, and G6PD deficiency was later confirmed. (BioMed Central)
• India: A 46-year-old man presented with hemolysis and methemoglobinemia after ingestion; he had G6PD deficiency. (Jaffna Medical Journal)
• Sri Lanka (2024): A mother and her 8-year-old son experienced acute oxidative hemolysis and methemoglobinemia after consuming Acalypha indica. They were both diagnosed with G6PD deficiency and treated accordingly. (BioMed Central)
• Other case reports: A preprint details an elderly man developing acute hemolysis after consuming Acalypha indica (“Kuppamenia mallum”). G6PD deficiency was confirmed on follow-up. (Preprints)
• A general review notes that acute hemolysis has primarily been reported in G6PD-deficient patients following ingestion of this plant. (Taylor & Francis Online)

These toxic effects appear linked to the plant’s phytochemicals (e.g. quinones, anthraquinones, acalyphin) that induce oxidative stress in red blood cells, triggering hemolysis in susceptible individuals. (BioMed Central, BioMed Central, Jaffna Medical Journal, Preprints)

Why Acalypha indica Is Dangerous for G6PD Deficiency

Individuals with G6PD deficiency lack adequate antioxidant defense in erythrocytes. Exposure to oxidative compounds in Acalypha indica can overwhelm those red blood cells, causing rapid breakdown (hemolysis) and symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, anemia, cyanosis, and even life-threatening complications like methemoglobinemia. (BioMed Central, BioMed Central, Jaffna Medical Journal, Taylor & Francis Online)

Summary Table

Conclusion and Safe Practice Advice

• Acalypha indica has a respected place in ethnomedicine and traditional healing—but also contains oxidative compounds harmful to G6PD-deficient individuals.
• If you or someone in your family has G6PD deficiency, avoid consuming this plant in any form—even traditional vegetable preparations.

• Acalypha indica — Overview & Local Names

  Acalypha indica is an annual herb from the Euphorbiaceae family, commonly found in tropical regions across Asia and Africa. It typically grows in disturbed areas like roadsides, fields, and waste grounds WikipediaPlantNet.

  Local Names in the Philippines:

  • Bugos (Tagalog)

  • Maraotong and Taptapingar (Ilokano) PlantNet.

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  Known Common Names Elsewhere:

  • Indian acalypha, Indian nettle, Indian copperleaf, three-seeded mercury (English) PlantNetWikipedia.

  • In Malaysia: kucing galak, chika mas, rumput lislis GlobinMed+1.

  • Cebuano Names
    In the Philippines, Acalypha indica is known by several local names depending on the region and language. In Cebuano, it is called “Toongtoong” and “Pameti” nationaalherbarium.nl.

    Other Filipino Vernacular Names

    • Tagalog: Bugos

    • Ilokano: Maraotong, Taptapingar PlantNetStuartXchange

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    Safer alternatives like moringa (malunggay) offer nutritional and therapeutic benefits without known risks for G6PD-deficient individual

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  Key Identification Features:

  • Leaves: Broad ovate with serrated margins, alternating along the stem; petioles range from ~1.5 to 5.5 cm Wikipedia.

  • Inflorescences: Spike-like clusters (2.5–6 cm long) with cup-shaped bracts surrounding female flowers and male flowers above Wikipedia.

  • Habitat: Thrives in moist, shaded areas, from sea level up to 1,350 m altitude Wikipediauforest.org.

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  Summary Table

  Aspect	Details
  Scientific Name	Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) GlobinMedWikipedia
  Philippine Names	Bugos (Tagalog); Maraotong, Taptapingar (Ilokano) PlantNet
  Common Names	Indian nettle, Indian copperleaf, three-seeded mercury PlantNetWikipedia
  Appearance	Herbaceous, up to ~1 m tall; broad, serrated leaves; spike inflorescences with cup-shaped bracts Wikipediauforest.org
  Habitat	Common in tropical disturbed sites—roadsides, gardens, waste areas Wikipediauforest.org

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  Here’s a clear image of Acalypha indica—locally known in parts of the Philippines as “Maraotong” in Ilokano—displaying its characteristic ovate, serrated leaves and spike-like flower clusters .

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  Quick Facts About Acalypha indica

  • Scientific Name: Acalypha indica L., belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family StuartXchangePlantNet.

  • Appearance: An erect, slightly hairy annual herb reaching 30–80 cm in height. Leaves are ovate with toothed margins; flowers are arranged in lax axillary spikes with distinctive cup-shaped bracts around female flowers StuartXchangeScribd.

  • Habitat: Frequently found in waste places, roadsides, and disturbed soils across tropical Asia and Africa, including the Philippines WikipediaPlantNet.

  • Global Distribution: Widespread in the Old World tropics—Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and introduced elsewhere Wikipedia.

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  Summary Table

  Aspect	Details
  Local (Cebuano)	Toongtoong, Pameti
  Tagalog	Bugos
  Ilokano	Maraotong, Taptapingar
  Scientific Name	Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae)
  Appearance	Herb with ovate serrated leaves and spike flowers
  Habitat	Common weed in tropical disturbed areas
  Distribution	Old World tropics (including Philippines)