Achyranthes aspera
Prickly chaff flower
Achyrantha aspera, commonly known as Prickly Chaff Flower, is a versatile medicinal herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicine. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it serves as a natural remedy for skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation, playing a crucial role in holistic healing practices worldwide.
- Scientific name: Achyranthes aspera
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Achyranthes.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Achyranthes | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Achyranthis asperas, is recognized by various traditional names across different linguistic and cultural regions. In Hindi, it is commonly called अपामार्ग, while in Kannada, it is referred to as ಉತ್ತರಾಣಿ. Its usage is also widespread in Chinese medicine, where it is known as 土牛膝 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and in the Cantonese-speaking regions of Hong Kong (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | अपामार्ग | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 土牛膝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 土牛膝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 土牛膝 | Wikidata |
| kn | ಉತ್ತರಾಣಿ | Wikidata |
| ta | நாயுருவி | Wikidata |
| or | ଅପାମାର୍ଗ | Wikidata |
| vi | Ngưu tất nam | Wikidata |
| mr | अघाडा | Wikidata |
| te | ఉత్తరేణి | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the Mediterranean and beyond. In Middle Europe, its presence can be noted within the country of Austria. Moving toward the Mediterranean coasts, it is found in Southwestern Europe in both Spain and Sardegna. The species also inhabits Southeastern Europe, specifically within the territory of Sicilia. Finally, its range extends into Northern Africa, where it grows in Tunisia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Achyranthes aspera, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. Often, the whole plant is employed in traditional remedies to treat a wide range of ailments, though specific parts are sometimes singled out for targeted treatments. The leaves, both in their collective form and as an individual leaf, are frequently used in topical applications or decoctions. Additionally, the stem and the whole plants can be processed to extract bioactive compounds, ensuring that no part of this hardy species goes to waste in herbal medicine.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chewing sticks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Achyranthes aspera has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 43 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saponins, flavonoids, (25S)-inokosterone-20,22-acetonide, 20- hydroxyecdysone, 36,47- dihydroxyhenpentacontan-4-one.
- Total chemicals
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 43
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| saponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (25S)-inokosterone-20,22-acetonide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20- hydroxyecdysone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 36,47- dihydroxyhenpentacontan-4-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Achyranthes aspera has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiproliferative, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nootropic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Achyranthes aspera has 27 reported medicinal uses identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli.
- Total uses
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oral cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proteus vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |