Chromolaena odorata

Chromolaena odorata, commonly known as Siam weed or Christmas bush, is a vigorous perennial shrub widely distributed across tropical regions. Renowned for its potent medicinal properties, it is extensively utilized in traditional medicine to accelerate wound healing, control bleeding, and treat various skin infections due to its antimicrobial qualities.

  • Scientific name: Chromolaena odorata
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • 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 Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Chromolaena.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Chromolaena WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions in the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Benin and Guinea. The species is also widely distributed throughout the Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Furthermore, its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it has been documented growing within the territory of Cabinda.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cabinda WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Congo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gabon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP

Chemicals

Chromolaena odorata has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 39 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, flavonoid, quercetin, saponins, tannins.

Total chemicals
32
Scientific sources
39

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 3 ★★☆☆☆
flavonoid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(E)-caryophyllene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Isosakuranetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cadmium 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Chromolaena odorata has 18 reported activities identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Analgesic.

Total activities
18
Scientific sources
36

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 6 ★★★☆☆
Antimicrobial 5 ★★★☆☆
Antibacterial 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antimalarial 3 ★★☆☆☆
Analgesic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticonvulsant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Chromolaena odorata has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wounds, burns, malaria, diarrhea, wound healing.

Total uses
25
Scientific sources
36

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
wounds 6 ★★★☆☆
burns 3 ★★☆☆☆
malaria 3 ★★☆☆☆
diarrhea 2 ★☆☆☆☆
wound healing 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Escherichia coli 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium berghei 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Streptococcus suis 1 ★☆☆☆☆