Costus afer
Costus afer, commonly known as the African spiral ginger, is a perennial herb native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its striking, fragrant flowers and lush foliage, this plant holds significant value in traditional medicine. It is frequently utilized for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties in various herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Costus afer
- Family: Costaceae
- 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 Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Costaceae and the genus Costus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Costaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Costus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Costus afer, is known by several different common names depending on the language and region. In Czech, it is referred to as kostus africký, while in Chinese, it is identified by multiple names including 戴氏闭鞘姜, 猴蔗西闭鞘姜, and 非洲闭鞘姜.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| cs | kostus africký | Wikidata |
| zh | 戴氏闭鞘姜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 猴蔗西闭鞘姜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 非洲闭鞘姜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Costus afer, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species also extends its range into Burkina Faso, contributing to the botanical diversity of the area. Furthermore, the plant is documented in the coastal and inland territories of Ghana. Its presence is also confirmed in the nations of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, rounding out its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Costus afer, possesses several distinct morphological features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The structure is supported by a sturdy, upright stem that emerges from a thick, fleshy rhizome located underground, which serves as a primary storage organ for nutrients. Growing from the stem are large, lanceolate leaves, and each individual leaf is characterized by its lush, green appearance and prominent venation, contributing to the plant's overall medicinal potency.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Costus afer has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, saponins, 2-methoxy-4 vinylphenol, 9,12-octadecanoic acid-methyl ester.
- Total chemicals
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-methoxy-4 vinylphenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9,12-octadecanoic acid-methyl ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| campesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cis-vaccenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Costus afer has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, CNS-Depressant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CNS-Depressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Costus afer has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, Diabetes mellitus, gout.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arthritis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| postprandial hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |