Spiderlings
Boerhavia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (6 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Spiderlings, scientifically known as Boerhavia, is a versatile genus of medicinal herbs found in tropical regions. Renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, particularly Boerhavia diffusa, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hepatoprotective properties. These resilient plants offer significant therapeutic potential for treating liver ailments, skin disorders, and various systemic inflammations.
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Spiderlings · Spiderling
- Scientific synonyms
- Axia
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Spiderlings
- spiderling
Scientific Names
Accepted name
BoerhaviaSynonyms
- Axia
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Boerhaavia
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Nyctaeginaceae and is identified by the genus Boerhavia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae |
| Genus | Boerhavia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, its presence is noted in Italy and the island of Sicilia. The species also extends into Northern Africa, where it inhabits Algeria. Finally, its range reaches further east within Northern Africa to include Egypt.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia |
| Northern Africa | Algeria |
| Northern Africa | Egypt |
| Northern Africa | Libya |
| Northern Africa | Morocco |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Activities
Boerhavia has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Anticancer
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antioxidant
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Conditions
Boerhavia has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, hepatitis, infectious diseases, inflammations.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatitis | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Infectious diseases | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammations | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Asthma
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Hepatitis
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Infectious diseases
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Inflammations
- Journal of ethnopharmacology