Baccharis dracunculifolia
Baccharis draunculifolia, commonly known as breu branco, is a highly revered medicinal plant native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its potent aromatic resin, it possesses significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Traditionally used to treat skin ailments and respiratory issues, it remains a vital resource in ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Baccharis dracunculifolia
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Baccharis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Baccharis | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of South America. In the western portion of the continent, it can be found growing in both Bolivia and Peru. Its presence extends significantly into Brazil, where it inhabits multiple distinct territories. Specifically, it is documented within the West-Central and Southeast regions of Brazil. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the southern part of the Brazilian landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Uruguay | WCVP |
Chemicals
Baccharis dracunculifolia has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include baccharin, flavonoids, artepillin C, caffeic acid, ferulic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| baccharin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| artepillin C | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-coumaric acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)- nerolidol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Baccharis dracunculifolia has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifibrotic, Antifungal, Antiulcer, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifibrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Baccharis dracunculifolia has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric ulcer, Cardiometabolic Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, anal fistula.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastric ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiometabolic Syndrome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Osteoarthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Paracoccidioides brasiliensis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anal fistula | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arteriosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatic steatosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver dysfunction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |