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Monochoria vaginalis Presl, Pontederiaceae, is a water plant very similar to the infamous water weed Eichornia crassipes Solms, of the same family. Another species, Monochoria hastata Solms (=Monochoria hastaefolia Presl, is similar in use to Monochoria vaganalis, and both occur almost throughout India.
Monochoria vaginalis (see photograph) is administered along with sugar in asthma and the root is chewed for toothache. Monochoria hastata is used as an alterative, tonic, cooling agent and in insanity.
In Java the juice of the leaves of Monochoria vaginalis is taken for cough and that of the roots for stomach and liver complaints, as well as for asthma and toothache.
The aerial parts are used as a vegetable.