Alnus
Alnus, commonly known as alder, is a versatile genus of deciduous trees valued in traditional medicine. Often found in riparian habitats, its bark and leaves contain bioactive compounds like tannins and flavonoids. These properties offer potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent benefits, making it a significant subject in ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Alnus
- Family: Betulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fagales, situated within the family Betulaceae. Finally, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Alnus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fagales | WCVP |
| Family | Betulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alnus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the coastal landscapes of Denmark. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the forested areas of Finland. In the North Atlantic, the species inhabits the unique environments of the Faroe Islands. Furthermore, the plant is widely distributed across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Alnus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, phenols, steroids, tannins, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alnus has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, hepatitis.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| uterine cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |