Cordia myxa

Assyrian plum

Cordia myxa, commonly known as laad amrud or Indian cherry, is a versatile medicinal shrub valued in traditional Ayurvedic practices. Renowned for its nutritious fruit and mucilaginous properties, it is frequently used to treat respiratory issues, digestive disorders, and skin ailments, offering significant therapeutic benefits for holistic wellness.

  • Scientific name: Cordia myxa
  • Family: Boraginaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized under the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Cordia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Boraginales WCVP
Family Boraginaceae WCVP
Genus Cordia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Cordia myxa, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Hindi, it is commonly known as बहुवार, while in Persian, it is referred to as سپستان. In Gujarati, the plant is called ગુંદા, and in Punjabi, it is known as لسوڑہ. Additionally, in Arabic-speaking regions, it is identified as سبستان دبق.
Language Common Name Source
hi बहुवार Wikidata
fa سپستان Wikidata
gu ગુંદા Wikidata
pnb لسوڑہ Wikidata
ar سبستان دبق Wikidata
zh 毛叶破布木 Wikidata
vi Tâm mộc nhớt Wikidata
sa बहुवारकफलम् Wikidata
kn ಚಳ್ಳೆ ಹಣ್ಣು Wikidata
arz مخيط Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several regions in Africa. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Moving toward the western part of the continent, its presence extends into West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit the territories of Benin and Burkina. This range highlights the plant's adaptability to different African climates.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Lasura, is highly valued for its diverse therapeutic properties derived from various components. The fruit is perhaps the most well-known part, characterized by its sweet, sticky pulp that is often consumed directly or used in culinary preparations. Within this fruit, a significant amount of mucilage is present, which serves as a soothing agent used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues and respiratory ailments. Additionally, the medicinal potency of the species extends to its foliage, where leaf extracts are frequently utilized for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Furthermore, specialized fruit extract preparations are often employed in topical or oral treatments to harness the concentrated bioactive compounds found within the plant's reproductive structures.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
mucilage 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf extracts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cordia myxa has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, quercetin, chlorhexidine, cosmosiin, flavonoid.

Total chemicals
10
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorhexidine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cosmosiin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
robinetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rosmarinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stigmastanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cordia myxa has 5 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cordia myxa has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, Bacillus subtilis, COVID-19, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
COVID-19 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Salmonella enterica 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
brucellosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆