Clausena anisata

Clausena anisata, commonly known as Star Anise Leaf or Cloves of the Forest, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat digestive issues, skin ailments, and respiratory infections, offering significant therapeutic potential.

  • Scientific name: Clausena anisata
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • 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 Sapindales and the family Rutaecae, it is classified under the genus Clausena. Specifically, its scientific name is Clausena anisata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Rutaceae WCVP
Genus Clausena WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Clausena anisata, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Malayalam, it is referred to as സുഗന്ധവേപ്പ് (ml), while in Amharic, it is called ልምጭ (am). It is known as 香黄皮 (zh) in Chinese, and in Afrikaans, its common name is Perdepis (af).
Language Common Name Source
ml സുഗന്ധവേപ്പ് Wikidata
am ልምጭ Wikidata
zh 香黄皮 Wikidata
af Perdepis Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Clausena anisata, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also documented throughout the nation of Ghana. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends into Mali.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Burundi WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Clausena anisata, possesses several components that are utilized for their various medicinal properties. The aromatic leaves are frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat ailments such as coughs or skin infections, while the leaf structure itself is a key identifier of the species. The stems provide the structural framework for the shrub, and the stem bark is often harvested to prepare decoctions used for their potent antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the fruit serves as another vital part of the plant, contributing to its overall chemical profile used in holistic healing practices.
Total parts
8
Scientific sources
13
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaf 4 ★★☆☆☆
stems 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stem bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Clausena anisata has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include tannins, flavonoids, imperatorin, (E)-anethole, (E)-methyl isoeugenol.

Total chemicals
25
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
tannins 3 ★★☆☆☆
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
imperatorin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(E)-anethole 1 ★☆☆☆☆
(E)-methyl isoeugenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Clausamine E 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chalepin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
clausenine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
clausenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coumarins 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Clausena anisata has 8 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Antifungal, Antimalarial.

Total activities
8
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacteriostatic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Insect-Repellent 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Clausena anisata has 29 reported medicinal uses identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus fumigatus, HIV-1, HIV-2, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis.

Total uses
29
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Aspergillus fumigatus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV-1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV-2 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Proteus mirabilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Salmonella typhi 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Schistosomiasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
abdominal cramps 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ascariasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆