Aframomum melegueta
Aframomum melegueta, commonly known as cardamom pod or grains of paradise, is a highly aromatic medicinal plant native to West Africa. Renowned for its stimulating properties, it is used traditionally to aid digestion, treat respiratory ailments, and combat inflammation, offering a potent blend of culinary spice and therapeutic benefits.
- Scientific name: Aframomum melegueta
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae and is identified by the genus Aframomum. Specifically, its scientific name is Aframomum melegueta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aframomum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Aframomum melegueita, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence can be documented in the nation of Benin. It also grows within the borders of Gambia and Ghana. Furthermore, the species is found across the landscapes of Guinea. Finally, its geographical range extends into the Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Chemicals
Aframomum melegueta has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-arctigenin, (E)-14-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 6-gingerol, 6-paradol.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (-)-arctigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-14-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-gingerol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-paradol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AFB1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aframomum melegueta has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aframomum melegueta has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COVID-19, Osteoporosis, TYPE 2 DIABETES, infectious diseases, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Osteoporosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| TYPE 2 DIABETES | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pancreatic cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |