3Qs Garden Plant Inventory: Green Gold - The Healing Power of Telinga Kera

Home & Living
30 May 2024 • 5:30 PM MYT
Azam's Harvest
Azam's Harvest

I'm Azam: A farmer, resilience advocate, dream harvester, and OKU.

Image from: 3Qs Garden Plant Inventory: Green Gold - The Healing Power of Telinga Kera
Image by Nazrul Azam: Telinga Kera in our 3Qs Garden

This plant was recommended to me about two years ago by an acquaintance, a knowledgeable Chinese uncle who specializes in traditional healing methods. Probably a monk, as he always wears an orange robe.

He told me that in Chinese medicine, this plant is the number one choice for kidney health. I can't remember its Chinese name, but it's commonly known as Telinga Kera (monkey's ear) because the leaves resemble the earlobes of a monkey, even in colour.

Its scientific name is Tradescantia albiflora, also known as the white-flowered wandering Jew or white spiderwort. This species of herbaceous perennial plant belongs to the spiderwort family. It's a creeping plant and can also serve as ground cover. It's quite attractive in hanging pots as well.

Growing this plant is very easy. Just stick it into the ground, and it will grow. It requires medium watering and sunlight. As it matures, it will develop small white flowers surrounded by its leaves, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

According to my friend, the best way to use this plant is by boiling 21 leaves with 10 pieces of red dates. Boil and simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes, then drink it warm twice a day.

In Chinese medicine, this plant is highly regarded as a remedy for kidney disease or failure. It's also known to help improve blood circulation and aid in treating urinary bladder infections.

Besides its medicinal properties, it's a lovely plant with great benefits. Plant this at home, and even if you don't need it for its healing properties, consuming it occasionally can help maintain general health. Additionally, its lush green foliage and delicate white flowers can enhance the beauty of any garden or indoor space.

Incorporating Telinga Kera into your garden not only adds a touch of greenery but also serves as a natural health booster. Whether you grow it for its medicinal benefits or simply for its beauty, this plant is a valuable addition to any home garden.

There you go—a pretty plant with great benefits. Plant this at home, and enjoy its many advantages. Even if you don't need it for specific ailments, consuming it once in a while will definitely help in maintaining your overall health.


Azam's Harvest is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.