velvetleaf
Abutilon theophrasti · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (260 studies) · ★★★★★
Velvetleaf, scientifically known as Abutilon theophrasti, is a versatile medicinal herb valued in traditional healing practices. Often regarded as a weed, its leaves and seeds possess significant therapeutic properties, frequently used to treat inflammation, respiratory issues, and digestive ailments, making it a subject of growing pharmacological interest worldwide.
Names
Common Names
- China jute
- butterprint
- velvetleaf
- velvetleaf abutilon
- American-jute
- China-jute
- Chingma-lantern
- Indian-mallow
- Tientsin-jute
- abutilon-hemp
- swamp Chinese-lantern
- velvetweed
- velvet-Leaf
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Hoja de terciopelo asiática
German:
- Lindenblättrige Schönmalve
- Samtpappel
- Chinesischer Hanf
- chinesische Jute
- chinesische Samtpappel
- chinesischer Hanf
- Samtmalve
- Lindenblättrige Schönmalve
- Samtpappel
French:
- abutilon
- abutilon
- abutilon d'Avicenne
- abutilon de Théophraste
- abutilon à pétales jaunes
- Abutilon de Theophraste
- Abutilon ordinaire
- Abutilon à fleurs jaunes
- Fausse guimauve jaune
- Jute de Chine
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Abutilon theophrastiSynonyms
- Malva abutilon
- Abutilon tiliifolium
- Abutilon avicennae f. tiliifolium
- Abutilon theophrasti var. nigrum
- Abutilon avicennae f. parviflorum
- Sida abutilon
- Abutilon behrianum
- Sida tiliifolia
- Abutilon theophrasti var. chinense
- Abutilon commune
- Abutilon avicennae var. chinense
- Abutilon avicennae f. nigrum
- Abutilon avicennae var. violaceum
- Abutilon avicennae var. aureum
- Abutilon avicennae var. cordatum
- Abutilon avicennae var. rotundifolium
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Abutilon.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Abutilon | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Finland as well as within Great Britain and Ireland. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it is documented in the country of Austria. Furthermore, the species is also located within the Czechia-Slovakia region. Together, these locations define the known range of this medicinal species across the northern and central parts of Europe.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Abutilon theophrasti, is characterized by its growth habit as an annual herb that can reach significant heights in suitable environments. The aerial parts of the species, which include the stems and leaves, are often utilized in various traditional preparations due to their accessible structure above the ground. Furthermore, the flowers are a distinct feature of the plant, typically presenting as pale yellow, bell-shaped blooms that play a crucial role in its reproductive cycle.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| flower | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Abutilon theophrasti has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, Cyanidin, Delphinidin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| quercetin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cyanidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Delphinidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RUTIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholesterol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
quercetin
- Dr. Duke
- Frontiers in pharmacology
(+)-catechin
- Dr. Duke
(-)-Epicatechin
- Dr. Duke
Cyanidin
- Dr. Duke
Delphinidin
- Dr. Duke
FAT
- Dr. Duke
RUTIN
- Frontiers in pharmacology
caffeic acid
- Frontiers in pharmacology
cholesterol
- Dr. Duke
kaempferol
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Abutilon theophrasti has 231 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATPase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Abutilon theophrasti has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include E. coli, Tobacco mosaic virus, dysentery, gastric ulcer, oxidative stress.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tobacco mosaic virus | Plant disease (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcer | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| dried tissues | Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol extracts | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |