Scientific Name: Gracilaria compressa

Description: One of the most common edible alga, 15 to 25 cm high. Fronds are elongated, cylindrical, 2 to 3 cm in diameter at thickest, gradually diminishing, soft, smootha dn irregularly branched. Purplish with a tinge of green when fresh, yellowish white when dry. Branches are fastigiate, bare below, divided above with tapering branchlets. Fructications consist of small, stalkless, spherical elongated bodies.

Traditional Uses:

- Cough and consumption.

- Poultice used for swollen knee joints and sores.

- Strained mucilaginous decoction and take extracted jelly for constipation.

- Intestinal and bladder difficulties.

- Bladder irritiation, menorrhagia, leucorrhea.

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart"