Caralluma
Caralluma, commonly known as a traditional Ayurvedic herb, has gained global recognition for its unique appetite-suppressing properties. Native to arid regions of India and Africa, this succulent is widely utilized in natural wellness formulations to support weight management, boost energy levels, and promote metabolic health through its bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Caralluma
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Caralluma.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Caralluma | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Caralluma, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Hebrew, it is referred to as אצבוע, while in Swedish, it is known as Flugstavssläktet. In Persian, the name used is کارالوما, and in Finnish, it is called sarviot. Additionally, in Arabic, it is identified as غلثى.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| he | אצבוע | Wikidata |
| sv | Flugstavssläktet | Wikidata |
| fa | کارالوما | Wikidata |
| fi | sarviot | Wikidata |
| ar | غلثى | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 水牛掌屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 水牛掌属 | Wikidata |
| ta | கள்ளி முளையான் | Wikidata |
| ml | കരാലുമ | Wikidata |
| wo | Mborosaan | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this area, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence extends further to include the nations of Burkina and Ghana. Additionally, the species is documented in Mali. Finally, its geographical range reaches as far as Mauritania.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Curcuma, offers a wealth of therapeutic potential through its various components. While the entire organism contributes to its biological profile, the most significant medicinal value is derived from the underground rhizomes, which contain high concentrations of bioactive compounds like curcumin. When prepared as Caralluma plant extracts, these parts provide a concentrated source of nutrients and phytochemicals that are utilized in various traditional and modern wellness applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Caralluma plant extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Caralluma has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Caralluma has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiarthritic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Caralluma has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, appetite suppressants.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| appetite suppressants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |