Coleus scutellarioides

Coleus scutellarioides, commonly known as the Plectranthus or Coleus plant, is a versatile medicinal herb prized in traditional wellness practices. Renowned for its aromatic foliage, it offers significant therapeutic potential, particularly in treating respiratory issues and inflammation. This resilient plant serves as a vital resource in herbal medicine globally.

  • Scientific name: Coleus scutellarioides
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • 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 Lamiales and family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Coleus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Coleus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Coleus scutellarioides, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to as 五彩苏, 洋紫苏, or 彩叶草, while in Taiwan, it is commonly called 五彩蘇, and in mainland China, it is known as 五彩苏.
Language Common Name Source
zh 五彩苏 Wikidata
zh-tw 五彩蘇 Wikidata
zh-cn 五彩苏 Wikidata
zh 洋紫苏 Wikidata
zh 彩叶草 Wikidata
zh 小五彩苏 Wikidata
zh 锦紫苏 Wikidata
zh 小鞘蕊花 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several continents and distinct ecological zones. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted specifically within Guinea. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can also be found in Rwanda. Its distribution extends to the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the Comoros. Finally, the plant is located in East Asia, specifically throughout China Southeast and the Nansei-shoto islands.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Rwanda WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Comoros WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Coleus scutellarioides, is valued in traditional medicine for the therapeutic properties found throughout its various anatomical structures. The medicinal potency is often concentrated in the lush green leaves, which are frequently utilized in topical or decoction preparations. Beyond the individual leaf, the entire collection of aerial parts serves as a primary source for extracting bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the roots are also recognized for their specific medicinal contributions, ensuring that the plant's healing potential is distributed from its underground base to its visible foliage.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Coleus scutellarioides has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-octen-3-ol, 1-octene-3-ol, 2-hexen-1-ol, 2-hexenal, 3-octanol.

Total chemicals
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
1-octen-3-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
1-octene-3-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
2-hexen-1-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
2-hexenal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-octanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Rosmarinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
boranyl acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
copaene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sabinen 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Coleus scutellarioides has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Genotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Coleus scutellarioides has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antihypertensive, cancer, glycation, hypertension.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antihypertensive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆