The nutritional value of rau ram is unknown. The leaves contain a yellowish essential oil, consisting mainly of alkane aldehydes. Drimane sesquiterpenoids, which are under investigation for their antifungal and anticarcinogenic properties, are present in some ''Persicaria'' and ''Polygonum'' species, but have not been found in ''P. odorata''.
== Composition ==
'''Rau ram leaf oil (from Australia)''' (Source: Hunter et al., 1997.)
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* 44.1% dodecanal
* 27.7% decanal
* 10.9% 1-decanol
* 3.8% β-caryophyllene
* 2.6% 1-dodecanol
* 1.5% α-humulene
* 1.1% undecane
* 0.4% tetradecanal
* 0.3% 3-hexenol-1
* 0.3% 1-undecanol
* 0.2% caryophyllene oxide
* 0.2% 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol
* 0.1% 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one
* 0.1% (E)-β-ocimene
* 0.1% undecanal
* trace nonanal
* trace (Z)-β-ocimene
* 93.4% total
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==Adulterations and substitutes==