Crescentia alata
Crescentia alata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Extensive (184 studies) · ★★★★☆
Crescentia alata, scientifically known as Crescentia alata, is a remarkable medicinal plant valued for its diverse therapeutic properties. Often found in tropical regions, this species is traditionally used to treat various ailments, ranging from respiratory issues to digestive discomfort, making it a significant subject in ethnobotanical studies and pharmacology.
- Family
- Not available
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Pulp Of The Fruits
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Crescentia alataDistribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and oceanic regions. In Africa, its presence is noted within the Northeast Tropical region, specifically in Chad. Its reach extends across the ocean to the Northwestern Pacific, where it can be found in the Mariana Islands. Within Mexico, the species is widely spread across the Central, Northeast, and Gulf regions. Consequently, this variety of locations highlights the broad environmental adaptability of the species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Marianas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the calabash tree, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties, which are primarily derived from the pulp of the fruits. This fleshy interior is frequently harvested and processed into syrups, infusions, or topical applications to treat various ailments such as respiratory issues, digestive disturbances, and inflammatory conditions. The bioactive compounds concentrated within the pulp make it the most significant medicinal component of the species.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pulp of the fruits | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Crescentia alata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, HCN, IRON.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ash | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HCN | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IRON | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PHOSPHORUS | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phenols | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-carotene | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| niacin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleic acid | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Crescentia alata has 169 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Androgenic?.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anemiagenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiLyme | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiMeniere's | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiPMS | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pulp of the fruits | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |