Bombax ceiba
Tree cotton
Bombax ceiba, commonly known as the Red Silk Cotton tree, is a magnificent deciduous species prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its vibrant crimson flowers, every part of this plant—from its bark to its seeds—offers therapeutic properties, used widely to treat inflammation, fever, and various digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Bombax ceiba
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Bombax ceiba, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Bombax.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bombax | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bombax ceiba, is referred to by various names across different languages and regions. In Dutch, it is called the Indiische kapokboom, while in Thai, it is known as งิ้ว. The plant is identified in Latin as Hinda bombako, and in Chinese, it is called 木棉. Furthermore, in Portuguese, it is commonly referred to as the Paineira-vermelha-da-índia.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nl | Indische kapokboom | Wikidata |
| th | งิ้ว | Wikidata |
| eo | Hinda bombako | Wikidata |
| zh | 木棉 | Wikidata |
| pt | Paineira-vermelha-da-índia | Wikidata |
| vi | Gạo (cây) | Wikidata |
| jv | Randhu alas | Wikidata |
| ml | ഇലവ് | Wikidata |
| te | బూరుగ | Wikidata |
| id | Randu alas | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution also extends to the tropical island of Hainan within Chinese borders. Moving further east, the species is naturally occurring in Taiwan. Finally, its range reaches into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the Assam region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Laccadive Is. | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bombax ceiba, possesses various anatomical structures that contribute to its medicinal properties. The large, palmate leaves are characteristic of its foliage, while the sturdy stem provides the structural support necessary for its towering height. The stem barks are frequently utilized in traditional medicine due to their specific chemical constituents. During the flowering stage, the plant produces striking blossoms protected by distinct sepals, where each individual sepal plays a crucial role in shielding the developing reproductive organs of the flower.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 12
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sepals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sepal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bombax ceiba has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alcohols, esters, polyphenols, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 3-caffeoylquinic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alcohols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| esters | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-caffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-BA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BCL | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Shamimin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alkenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| docosahexaenoic acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bombax ceiba has 10 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antisecretory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bombax ceiba has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Alzheimer disease, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MCF-7 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Micrococcus luteus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Xanthomonas maltophilia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |