Colebrookea oppositifolia
Indian squirrel tail
Colebrookea oppositifolia, commonly known as the Colebrooke plant, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to various African regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, its leaves and bark are utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering significant pharmacological potential for modern therapeutic research and herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Colebrookea oppositifolia
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Colebrookea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Colebrookea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Colebrookea oppositifolia, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In English, it is known as the Indian Squirrel Tail, while in Chinese, it is referred to by the names 羽萼木 and 羽萼. Additionally, it is called धुर्सिल in Nepali and বশিক in Bengali.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ne | धुर्सिल | Wikidata |
| bn | বশিক | Wikidata |
| zh | 羽萼木 | Wikidata |
| en | Indian Squirrel Tail | Wikidata |
| zh | 羽萼 | Wikidata |
| zh | 羽萼木* | Wikidata |
| zh | 黑羊巴巴 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its presence also extends into the East Himalaya region of the subcontinent. Furthermore, the species is located in the South-Central part of China. These diverse locations highlight its broad ecological range across these mountainous and subtropical territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Colebrookea oppositifolia, is valued in traditional medicine for its various components, particularly its leaves and overall aerial parts. The leaves are often utilized in decoctions or infusions to address specific ailments, while the entire aerial parts of the plant are frequently harvested to prepare medicinal extracts. By utilizing these above-ground structures, practitioners can access the diverse bioactive compounds contained within the foliage and stems.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Colebrookea oppositifolia has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acetyl alcohol, acteoside, chrysin, coumarins, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acetyl alcohol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chrysin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-triacontane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Colebrookea oppositifolia has 8 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Colebrookea oppositifolia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include epilepsy, fever, headache, inflammation, nervous system disorders.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| epilepsy | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nervous system disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |