Chenopodium album
Fat-hen
Chenopodium album, commonly known as lamb's quarters, is a versatile annual herb found globally. Renowned for its nutritional density, it serves as a potent leafy green rich in vitamins and minerals. Beyond its culinary uses, this plant holds significant value in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Chenopodium album
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Amaranthaceae. It is further identified by the genus Chenopodium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Chenopodium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Chenopodium album, is widely recognized by various regional names across different Chinese linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn) and Traditional Chinese (zh-hant) as well as in Hong Kong (zh-hk), Singapore (zh-sg), and Mainland China (zh-cn), it is commonly referred to by the name 藜.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 藜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 藜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 藜 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 藜 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 藜 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 藜 | Wikidata |
| pl | Komosa biała | Wikidata |
| qu | Llikcha | Wikidata |
| udm | Сиёнпот | Wikidata |
| he | כף אווז לבנה | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions in Northern Europe. In the northernmost reaches, it can be found growing in Iceland and Finland. Its distribution continues through the island of Førøya, where it adapts to the local climate. Furthermore, the species is well-established within the territories of Denmark and Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various Northern European environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as lamb's quarters, is a versatile species where almost every component can be utilized. The entire whole plant is often studied for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, though the most frequently harvested part is the tender leaves, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. In traditional medicine, the plant is often prepared as a dried herb to be used in various remedies. Furthermore, the small, dark seeds are highly nutritious and can be collected for consumption, with each individual seed containing a concentrated amount of energy and essential nutrients.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Chenopodium album has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 52 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saponins, Ca, Fe, P, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 52
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| saponins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| potassium | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (3R,6R,7E,9E,11E)-3-hydroxy-13-apo-alpha-caroten-13-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (6S,7E,9E,11E)-3-oxo-13-apo-alpha-caroten-13-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAEE | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Chenopodium album has 22 reported activities identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antipruritic.
- Total activities
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 33
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipruritic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelopathic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Chenopodium album has 33 reported medicinal uses identified across 35 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, antipruritic, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli.
- Total uses
- 33
- Scientific sources
- 35
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipruritic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcoholic liver disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |