Corylus avellana
Hazel
Corylus avellana, commonly known as the hazel shrub, is a versatile plant prized for both its nutritious nuts and medicinal properties. Historically utilized in traditional herbalism, it contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, offering therapeutic benefits for skin health, digestive support, and various systemic wellness applications.
- Scientific name: Corylus avellana
- Family: Betulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fagales and the family Betulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Corylus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fagales | WCVP |
| Family | Betulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Corylus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Corylus avellana, is referred to by several different common names depending on the language and region. In Luxembourgish, it is called Bëschhieselter, while in Chinese, its names vary slightly by script and region, including 欧榛 (zh-hans), 歐榛 (zh-hant), 歐榛 (zh-hk), and 欧榛 (zh-cn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| lb | Bëschhieselter | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 欧榛 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 歐榛 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 歐榛 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 欧榛 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 欧榛 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 歐榛 | Wikidata |
| pl | leszczyna pospolita | Wikidata |
| eu | Hurritz | Wikidata |
| qu | Iwrupa awillanu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Corylus avellana, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. The species also extends its range to the islands of Føroyar. Additionally, its presence is well-documented across the terrain of Great Britain. Finally, the plant is distributed throughout the various regions of Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Corylus avellana, commonly known as the hazel, offers various components that can be utilized for different purposes. The shells, which protect the nutritious kernels, are often valued for their high antioxidant content and can be used in traditional applications or as a source of tannins. Additionally, the leaves are frequently employed in herbal preparations, as they possess astringent properties that are often utilized to treat skin inflammations or digestive issues.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Shells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Corylus avellana has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include baccatin III, paclitaxel, taxol, 10-deacetylbaccatin III, 7-epipaclitaxel.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| baccatin III | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| paclitaxel | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| taxol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-deacetylbaccatin III | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-epipaclitaxel | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| condensed tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| paclitaxel C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Corylus avellana has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antineoplastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Corylus avellana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Listeria monocytogenes, wounds.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |