Achyranthes brasiliana
Alternanthera brasiliana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (26 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Achyranthes brasiliana, scientifically known as Alternanthera brasiliana, is a versatile medicinal plant cherished in traditional herbalism. Often recognized by its striking foliage, this species possesses diverse therapeutic properties. It is frequently utilized in various cultures to treat inflammatory conditions, support digestive health, and promote overall systemic wellness through natural compounds.
Names
Common Names
- Brazilian joyweed
- Ruby Leaf
- purple joyweed
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Hojas rubí
French:
- bouton blanc
- marguerite à fleurs rouges
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Alternanthera brasilianaSynonyms
- Philoxerus brasiliana
- Gomphrena brasiliana
- Achyranthes brasiliana
- Telanthera brasiliana
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. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus, Alternanthera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alternanthera | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Africa and the Indian Ocean. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in the nations of Benin, Gambia, and Guinea. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Cameroon. Furthermore, its range reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be found in the Comoros. Consequently, these locations highlight the diverse tropical environments where the plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | South China Sea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Alternanthera brasiliana, is primarily utilized for its medicinal properties through the use of its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which include the vibrant reddish-purple leaves, slender stems, and small flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. Because the medicinal value is concentrated in these visible components, the aerial parts are typically harvested for decoctions, infusions, or topical preparations in traditional herbal practices.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Alternanthera brasiliana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Steroids, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Terpenes.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Steroids | Die Pharmazie (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoid | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytosterols | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenes | Die Pharmazie (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenoids | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Alternanthera brasiliana has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Nephroprotective.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alternanthera brasiliana has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, cough.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuresis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | Environmental science and pollution research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | Die Pharmazie (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| callus culture extracts | Die Pharmazie (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroethanolic extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |