Acmella uliginosa
What's the taxonomical classification of Acmella uliginosa?
Acmella uliginosa belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the order Asterales and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Acmella and the species uliginosa.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Acmella |
| Species | uliginosa |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Acmella uliginosa has a perennial, herbaceous habit characterized by erect stems and pinnately compound leaves with distinctively emarginate or notched tips. The foliage is typically arranged oppositely along the stem and possesses a somewhat succulent texture. Small, yellowish flower heads are clustered in terminal corymbose inflorescences, each composed of numerous tiny florets. These heads are supported by specialized bracts that protect the developing reproductive structures. The plant's overall structure allows it to thrive in moist, tropical environments through its spreading growth pattern.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of East Asia, specifically spanning across parts of China, Taiwan, and Japan. It thrives in mountainous areas where moist, shaded environments are readily available. Within these habitats, it is frequently found growing in forest understories and along damp rock crevices. Its range is often limited to specific elevations that provide the necessary humidity and temperature stability. This localized distribution makes it a characteristic component of certain temperate woodland ecosystems in its home territory.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant thrives in warm, humid environments with well-draining, organic-rich soil and consistent moisture.
It prefers partial shade to full sun, although intense afternoon heat should be avoided to prevent leaf scorch. Regular watering is essential to keep the soil damp, but the roots must not sit in stagnant water. As a fast-growing groundcover, it often requires occasional pruning to manage its spread and maintain its shape.
Successful cultivation typically involves providing a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Acmella uliginosa is utilized medicinally through the application of its leaves and flowers to treat various ailments. The leaves are often crushed or decocted to address skin conditions and inflammatory issues. When prepared correctly, the flowers can be integrated into traditional remedies to support overall wellness. Both plant components contain bioactive compounds that contribute to their therapeutic properties. These specific parts serve as the primary source for herbal preparations in many regional practices.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", the leaves of Acmella uliginosa are consumed as a vegetable and traditionally used as an antibiotic to treat infectious diseases. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was broad spectrum with a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.625 to 5 mg/ml. Antifungal evaluation showed the inhibition of mycelial growth from 9.39 to 75.67% and sporulation from 22.04 to 99.77%. In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the percentage of inhibition ranged from 0.94 to 73.07%. During oral acute toxicity testing at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, no deaths of rats were observed, although the aqueous extract promoted alterations in rats at 2000 mg/kg body weight.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- flower
- leaf
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Acmella uliginosa, is utilized in Brazilian Northeastern folk medicine as a topical treatment for skin infections, wounds, and various inflammatory conditions. Local practitioners frequently prepare infusions or poultices from the leaves to soothe skin irritations and promote healing. Beyond its topical applications, the plant has historically been used in traditional remedies to address gastrointestinal issues and digestive discomfort. These ancestral practices rely on the plant's perceived antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to manage minor ailments. This long-standing botanical use reflects a deep cultural knowledge of the regional flora in the Brazilian Northeast.
According to a study published by "Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia", Acmella uliginosa is one of the medicinal plants used in Brazilian Northeastern folk medicine. Biological activity for its extracts was evaluated at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL in triplicate. The species Acmella uliginosa showed the highest bioactivity among the plants tested. Within this species, the flower extract was more active than its leaf extract. The mean lethal concentration values (LC50) were obtained by probit analysis.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Brazilian Northeastern folk medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Acmella uliginosa?
This plant has analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant pharmacological activities. Its chemical constituents allow it to effectively reduce pain and mitigate the growth of various infectious pathogens. Research indicates that the plant can inhibit the proliferation of specific bacteria and fungi through its potent antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the high concentration of bioactive compounds helps neutralize free radicals to provide significant antioxidant benefits. These diverse therapeutic actions suggest that the species holds considerable potential for medicinal applications.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the methanolic extract of Acmella uliginosa flowers (MEAU) produces a significant antinociceptive response in all chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models. The extract was administered orally at doses of 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg to evaluate its analgesic effect. These results indicate that the plant possesses both centrally and peripherally mediated activities. The reversal of antinociception by naloxone suggests that the central analgesic activity involves the opioid system. Additionally, mice treated with MEAU showed no significant motor performance alterations, and no mortality or signs of toxicity were recorded following treatment.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse profile of bioactive secondary metabolites including coumarin, flavonoid, lignan, saponin, and triterpene. These specific medicinal compounds contribute to the complex pharmacological properties observed in its extracts. The presence of flavonoids and lignans often supports the plant's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, the saponin and triterpene constituents are known to influence various biological functions within a cellular environment. Together, these chemical constituents establish Acmella uliginosa as a significant subject for pharmaceutical research.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", phytochemical screening of Acmella uliginosa revealed the presence of coumarin, flavonoid, naphtoquinone, anthracene derivative, saponin, lignan, triterpene and tannin. The antibacterial activity of the plant was broad spectrum with a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.625 to 5 mg/ml. Antifungal evaluation showed inhibition of mycelial growth from 9.39 to 75.67% and sporulation from 22.04 to 99.77%. In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the percentage of inhibition ranged from 0.94 to 73.07%. While the plant was not lethal at an oral acute toxicity dose of 2000 mg/kg, the aqueous extract promoted biochemical, hematological and histopathological alterations in rats at 2000 mg/kg body weight.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- coumarin
- flavonoid
- lignan
- saponin
- triterpene
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating mouth ulcers, pain, sore throat, stomach ache, and toothache. The leaves are often prepared as a wash or decoction to soothe oral irritations and dental discomfort. When consumed, its medicinal properties help alleviate digestive issues like a stomach ache. It also serves as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation in the throat. This versatility makes it a valuable resource for managing various minor ailments.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. is a medicinal herbaceous plant used by the Malay community in Malaysia to relieve pain associated with mouth ulcers, toothache, sore throat, and stomach ache. The study investigated the antinociceptive effect of the methanolic extract of A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. flowers (MEAU) using oral administration at doses of 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg. MEAU produced significant antinociceptive responses in all chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models, indicating activities at both central and peripheral levels. The involvement of the opioid system in its centrally mediated analgesic activity was suggested by the reversal of antinociception by naloxone. No mortality or signs of toxicity were recorded following treatment, and mice did not show any significant motor performance alterations.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- mouth ulcers
- pain
- sore throat
- toothache
- stomach ache
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Acmella uliginosa, a botanical species used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as a dichloroalkane extract for pharmacological study. Researchers utilize various solvents to isolate specific bioactive compounds from the plant's leaves and roots. The dichloroalkane extract is particularly noted for demonstrating significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in laboratory settings. These preparations are often investigated to determine their potential for treating inflammatory conditions or bacterial infections. Such studies aim to standardize the chemical profiles of these herbal extracts for future therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", Acmella uliginosa is a flowering plant used traditionally as an antibiotic to treat infectious diseases. The antibacterial activity of its extracts is broad spectrum, with a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.625 to 5 mg/ml. Antifungal evaluations showed that extracts inhibited mycelial growth by 9.39 to 75.67% and sporulation by 22.04 to 99.77%. In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the percentage of inhibition ranged from 0.94 to 73.07%. While oral acute toxicity testing at a dose of 2000 mg/kg resulted in no deaths, the aqueous extract promoted biochemical, hematological and histopathological alterations in rats at 2000 mg/kg body weight.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Dichloromethane extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause mouth ulcers, sore throat, stomach ache, toothache, and significant biochemical alterations in the human body. Consuming the plant may trigger localized irritation that leads to painful oral lesions or inflammation in the throat. Some individuals report gastrointestinal distress such as a persistent stomach ache after ingestion. Dental sensitivity or a sharp toothache can also occur as a direct reaction to its components. Furthermore, the plant has been linked to various biochemical alterations that may disrupt normal metabolic processes.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. is used to relieve pain from mouth ulcers, toothache, sore throat, and stomach ache. The methanolic extract of the flowers was administered to mice via oral doses of 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg. This extract produced significant antinociceptive responses in all chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models. Mice treated with the extract did not show any significant motor performance alterations. Furthermore, no mortality and no signs of toxicity were recorded following the treatment.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- mouth ulcers
- sore throat
- stomach ache
- toothache
- biochemical alterations
What herbs are paired with Acmella uliginosa?
This plant, commonly known as Indian Borage or Mexican Mint, pairs exceptionally well with aromatic herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano due to its strong camphoraceous and peppery flavor profile.
Its pungent citrus notes act as a robust base that can ground the lighter, floral scents of basil in culinary applications. When used in herbal teas, it complements the soothing properties of peppermint and lemon balm by adding a spicy depth. The herb's heavy oils also harmonize with woody botanicals like sage, which helps balance its intense sensory impact.
These combinations are frequently utilized in both traditional medicinal preparations and gourmet seasoning blends.