Alternanthera sessilis

Achyranthes sessilis

Alternanthera sessilis, commonly known as სიხვი (Sihvi) or Rakta Talochin, is a versatile creeping herb widely used in traditional medicine. Renowned for its potent medicinal properties, it is frequently employed to treat skin disorders, inflammation, and digestive issues, serving as a vital natural remedy in various herbal practices.

  • Scientific name: Alternanthera sessilis
  • Family: Amaranthaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the 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

Common Names

This plant, Alternanthema sessilis, is known by various regional names depending on the language and location. In Chinese, it is referred to as 莲子草 (zh-hans), 蓮子草 (zh-hant), and 蓮子草 (zh-hk). In the Indian languages of Telugu and Tamil, it is commonly called పొన్నగంటి కూర (te) and பொன்னாங்காணி (ta).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 莲子草 Wikidata
zh-hant 蓮子草 Wikidata
zh-hk 蓮子草 Wikidata
te పొన్నగంటి కూర Wikidata
ta பொன்னாங்காணி Wikidata
to Fisiʻiano Wikidata
id Kremah Wikidata
vi Rau Dệu Wikidata
ml പൊന്നാങ്കണ്ണി Wikidata
zh 莲子草 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found specifically within Germany. Its presence extends to Southwestern Europe, where it grows in Spain. The species also inhabits various parts of Northern Africa, including Algeria and Tunisia. Finally, its range reaches further east into Northern Africa to include Egypt.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known commonly as Rakta Rakti, is a creeping herb where almost every component holds therapeutic potential. While the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicinal preparations, most treatments focus on the aerial parts which grow above the soil surface. The leaves are typically small, ovate, and serve as a vital part of the plant's medicinal profile, while the succulent stem provides the structural framework for its spreading growth habit.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
aerial parts 2 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Alternanthera sessilis has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include terpenes, (+)-catechin, Hexadecanoic acid, carotenoids, chloroform.

Total chemicals
19
Scientific sources
20

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
terpenes 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(+)-catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hexadecanoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carotenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chloroform 1 ★☆☆☆☆
distilled water 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ellagic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ethanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hexane 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Alternanthera sessilis has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Alternanthera sessilis has 26 reported medicinal uses identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, abdominal pain, asthma, cancer.

Total uses
26
Scientific sources
27

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
pain 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
abdominal pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chronic pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
convulsion 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dysentery 1 ★☆☆☆☆