burning bush

Dictamnus albus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (406 studies) · ★★★★★

Burning bush, scientifically known as Dictamnus albus, is a striking perennial shrub celebrated for its aromatic foliage and fragrant white blooms. Historically utilized in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, this resilient plant offers unique therapeutic potential, making it a subject of significant interest in ethnobotanical studies.

Family
Rutaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Root
Common names
Burningbush · Dittany · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Dictamnus Tadshikorum · Dictamnus Fraxinella Var. Obtusiflorus · 40 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Díctamo
  • Diptamo
  • Dictamnus angustifolius
  • Fraxinella dictamnus
  • Yerba del puerto
  • Dictamnus gymnostylis
  • Fresnilla
  • Herba gitanera
  • Dictamo real
  • Fraxinella alba
  • Díptamo
  • Dictamnus fraxinella
  • Dictamnus obtusiflorus
  • Fraxinela
  • Fraxinella fulgurans
  • Chitan
  • Dictamo
  • Gitam
  • díctamo blanco
  • Gitam

German:

  • Diptam
  • Gemeiner Diptam
  • Gewöhnlicher Diptam
  • Fraxinelle
  • brennender Busch
  • weißer Diptam
  • Gewöhnlicher Diptam
  • Aschwurz

French:

  • Dictame blanc
  • fraxinelle
  • dictame blanc
  • herbe aux éclairs
  • Fraxinelle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Dictamnus albus

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Dictamnus albus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rutaceae and falls under the genus Dictamnus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Rutaceae WCVP
Genus Dictamnus WCVP

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Middle Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Austria. Its presence extends further into the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Additionally, the species is well-established within the borders of Germany. Finally, its geographical range includes significant populations in Hungary and Poland.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP
Middle Europe Switzerland WCVP
Southwestern Europe France WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Southeastern Europe Albania WCVP
Southeastern Europe Bulgaria WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as white Dittany, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The roots and the root bark are often harvested for their medicinal potency, containing bioactive compounds that have been studied for their potential health benefits. Additionally, the essential oil extracted from the plant serves as a concentrated source of its aromatic and chemical constituents, making it a valuable element in traditional and modern applications.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
root Chinese journal of natural medicines (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Dictamnus albus has 58 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fraxinellone, Dictamnine, Limonin, Obacunone, Robustine.

Chemicals reported in Dictamnus albus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Fraxinellone 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Dictamnine 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Limonin 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Obacunone 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Robustine 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Skimmianine 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
(E)-Anethol 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
(E)-beta-ocimene 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
(Z)-3-HEXENYL ACETATE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
(Z)-BETA-OCIMENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Fraxinellone

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
  3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dictamnine

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Limonin

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Obacunone

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Robustine

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Skimmianine

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Chinese journal of natural medicines

(E)-Anethol

  1. Dr. Duke

(E)-beta-ocimene

  1. Dr. Duke

(Z)-3-HEXENYL ACETATE

  1. Dr. Duke

(Z)-BETA-OCIMENE

  1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Dictamnus albus has 299 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective, 5-HT-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
Antioxidant Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Cytotoxic Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
5-HT-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ACE-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
AChE-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Abortifacient Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Acaricide Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Adrenostimulant Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Dictamnus albus has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cough, jaundice, left ventricular hypertrophy, rheumatism, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
cough Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
jaundice Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
left ventricular hypertrophy Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
skin diseases Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
EO Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
essential oil Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
root bark Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆