Nama Latin
Imperata cylindrica
Taksonomi
Kingdom : Plantae
Divisi : Tracheophyta
Ordo : Poales
Kelas : Liliopsida
Famili : Poaceace
Genus : Imperata
Spesies : Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
(ITIS, n.d.)
Definisi Umum
Alang-alang merupakan tanaman liar yang terkenal sebagai tanaman pengganggu pertanian akibat dari sifatnya yang mudah tumbuh dan cepat berkembang biak secara terus menerus terutama di tanah yang subur. Tumbuhan ini berkembang biak melalui biji yang mudah terbawa angin, alang-alang juga memperluas koloninya dengan cepat melalui rimpang yang sanggup menembus lapisan tanah secara efisien. Meskipun termasuk dalam kategori tanaman pengganggu pertanian, alang-alang juga termasuk tanaman obat. Menurut beberapa penelitian yang telah dilakukan, Alang-alang mengandung sejumlah unsur-unsur kimia yang bermanfaat bagi kesehatan. Unsur-unsur ini banyak terdapat pada bagian akar. (Afriannisa et al., 2025; Loilatu et al., 2023).
Kandungan
Di dalam akar tanaman alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) memiliki kandungan aktif utama yaitu Alkaloid, Karbohidrat, Fitosferol, Tannin, Saponin, Flafonoid, dan Protein/asam amino (Maryati et al., 2021).
Khasiat
- Meredakan Panas Dalam: akar alang-alang sangat populer digunakan untuk mengatasi gejala panas dalam.
- Diuretik dan Kesehatan Ginjal: alang-alang memiliki efek diuretik yang kuat, membantu melancarkan buang air kecil dan menjaga kesehatan fungsi ginjal. Kandungan flavonoidnya diduga berperan dalam melarutkan kalsium pada batu ginjal.
- Anti-inflamasi dan Antibakteri: kandungan fenol, alkaloid, dan terpenoid memberikan sifat antiseptik, antibakteri, dan anti-inflamasi alami yang membantu mengurangi peradangan dan melawan infeksi.
- Mengatasi Gangguan Pencernaan: dapat membantu meredakan peradangan pada saluran pencernaan, termasuk gastritis dan asam lambung berlebih.
- Potensi Antihipertensi: sifat diuretiknya juga berpotensi membantu dalam penanganan hipertensi (tekanan darah tinggi). (Afriannisa et al., 2025; Loilatu et al., 2023; Fatah et al., 2024)
Cara Pengolahan
Akar dari tanaman alang-alang dapat diolah menjadi minuman herbal dengan cara sebagai berikut:
- Cuci bersih akar alang-alang,
- Potong akar alang-alang menjadi ukuran kecil,
- Lalu rebus akar alang-alang hingga keluar sarinya,
- Tambahkan gula dan daun mint secukupnya,
- Lakukan penyaringan hasil rebusan akar alang-alang,
- Dinginkan hasil rebusan, Kemas rebusan dalam wadah/botol,
- Rebusan akar alang-alang siap dikonsumsi. (Fatah et al., 2024).
Daftar Pustaka
Afriannisa, A., Azhirakeisha, S. M., Rahma, L. H., & Aisyah, R. (2025). Pemanfaatan akar alang-alang sebagai alternatif herbal dan bahan fungsional berkelanjutan. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 11(2), 112–120. https://www.journal.stkipsubang.ac.id/index.php/didaktik/article/view/6085/3696
Fatah, A., Damayanti, S. E., Pratiwi, D. S., Taufik, Y., Ghaffar, R. M., Nurkanti, M., & Hasanah, N. (2024). Diversifikasi produk akar alang-alang, pakcoy, daun stevia dan mint hasil pertanian Desa Ciputri. Konferensi Nasional Pengabdian Masyarakat (KOPEMAS), 5(1).
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (n.d.). Imperata cylindrica (TSN 783590). ITIS. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=783590
Loilatu, B., Rumra, M. Y., & Subhan, S. (2023). Pemanfaatan tumbuhan alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica L.) sebagai obat tradisional oleh masyarakat Desa Selasi Kabupaten Buru Selatan. HORIZON: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary, 1(2), 117–128.
Maryati, M., Sulistyowati, E., & Widyaningrum, I. (2021). Efek antihiperlipidemia alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) dan senyawa aktifnya: Review sistematik. Jurnal Bio Komplementer Medicine, 8(1). https://jim.unisma.ac.id/index.php/jbm/article/viewFile/13984/10749
Alang-Alang (Imperata cylindrica)
Latin Name
Imperata cylindrica
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Imperata
Species: Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
(ITIS, n.d.)
General Definition
Imperata cylindrica is a wild plant known as an agricultural weed due to its ability to grow easily and reproduce rapidly and continuously, especially in fertile soil. This plant reproduces via seeds that are easily carried by the wind; it also rapidly expands its colony through rhizomes capable of efficiently penetrating soil layers. Although classified as an agricultural weed, alang-alang is also considered a medicinal plant. According to several studies, alang-alang contains various beneficial chemical compounds for health. These compounds are primarily found in the roots. (Afriannisa et al., 2025; Loilatu et al., 2023).
Composition
The roots of the alang-alang plant (Imperata cylindrica) contain the following primary active compounds: alkaloids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and proteins/amino acids (Maryati et al., 2021).
Benefits
Relieves Internal Heat: Alang-alang root is widely used to alleviate symptoms of internal heat.
Diuretic and Kidney Health: Alang-alang has a strong diuretic effect, helping to promote urination and maintain healthy kidney function. Its flavonoid content is believed to play a role in dissolving calcium in kidney stones.
Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial: The presence of phenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids provides natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and combat infections.
Relieving Digestive Disorders: It can help alleviate inflammation in the digestive tract, including gastritis and excess stomach acid.
Potential Antihypertensive Effects: Its diuretic properties may also help in managing hypertension (high blood pressure). (Afriannisa et al., 2025; Loilatu et al., 2023; Fatah et al., 2024)
Preparation Method
The roots of the alang-alang plant can be processed into a herbal drink as follows:
Wash the alang-alang roots thoroughly,
Cut the alang-alang roots into small pieces,
Then boil the alang-alang roots until the extract is released,
Add sugar and mint leaves to taste,
Strain the boiled alang-alang roots,
Cool the mixture, and pour it into a container or bottle,
The alang-alang root infusion is ready to drink. (Fatah et al., 2024).
Preparation Method
The roots of the alang-alang plant can be processed into an herbal drink as follows:
Wash the alang-alang roots thoroughly,
Cut the alang-alang roots into small pieces,
Then boil the alang-alang roots until the juice is released,
Add sugar and mint leaves to taste,
Strain the boiled alang-alang root mixture,
Let the decoction cool, and package it in a container or bottle,
The alang-alang root decoction is ready to consume. (Fatah et al., 2024).
References
Afriannisa, A., Azhirakeisha, S. M., Rahma, L. H., & Aisyah, R. (2025). Utilization of elephant grass roots as an alternative herbal remedy and sustainable functional ingredient. Didaktik: Scientific Journal of PGSD STKIP Subang, 11(2), 112–120. https://www.journal.stkipsubang.ac.id/index.php/didaktik/article/view/6085/3696
Fatah, A., Damayanti, S. E., Pratiwi, D. S., Taufik, Y., Ghaffar, R. M., Nurkanti, M., & Hasanah, N. (2024). Product diversification of elephant grass roots, pak choi, stevia leaves, and mint from agricultural production in Ciputri Village. National Conference on Community Service (KOPEMAS), 5(1).
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (n.d.). Imperata cylindrica (TSN 783590). ITIS. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=783590
Loilatu, B., Rumra, M. Y., & Subhan, S. (2023). The use of elephant grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) as a traditional medicine by the community of Selasi Village, South Buru Regency. HORIZON: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary, 1(2), 117–128.
Maryati, M., Sulistyowati, E., & Widyaningrum, I. (2021). The antihyperlipidemic effects of alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) and its active compounds: A systematic review. Journal of Complementary Medicine, 8(1). https://jim.unisma.ac.id/index.php/jbm/article/viewFile/13984/10749