Drimys winteri

Winter's bark

Drimys winteri, commonly known as Winter's Bark, is a resilient evergreen tree native to the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. Renowned for its potent medicinal properties, its bark contains high concentrations of quinones, offering powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects used extensively in traditional South American healing.

  • Scientific name: Drimys winteri
  • Family: Winteraceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Caneleales and categorized under the family Winteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Drimys and the specific species Drimys winteri.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Canellales WCVP
Family Winteraceae WCVP
Genus Drimys WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Drimys winteri, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Finland, it is referred to as kanelo, while in Quechua, it is called Chili kanila. In Russian, the name is Дримис Винтера, and in Ukrainian, it is known as Канело. Additionally, in Portuguese, it is commonly called Casca-de-anta.
Language Common Name Source
fi kanelo Wikidata
qu Chili kanila Wikidata
ru Дримис Винтера Wikidata
uk Канело Wikidata
pt Casca-de-anta Wikidata
hr Zimska kora Wikidata
zh 冬木 Wikidata
cs rozpylec lékařský Wikidata
arz دريميس وينتيرى Wikidata
ar دريمس مجلان Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is native to the southern regions of South America. Its geographical range specifically includes the southern portions of Argentina. Additionally, it can be found throughout the central parts of Chile. The distribution also extends into the southern areas of Chile. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this species thrives.

Region Area Source
Southern South America Argentina South WCVP
Southern South America Chile Central WCVP
Southern South America Chile South WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Drimys winteri, is a medicinal evergreen tree where various components have been utilized for their therapeutic properties. Historically, the medicinal value is often concentrated in its distinctive bark, which contains essential oils and compounds used in traditional remedies. While different preparations may focus on specific sections of the stem, the chemical potency found within the barks of these trees has made them a significant resource in indigenous healing practices for treating respiratory and inflammatory conditions.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bark 3 ★★☆☆☆
barks 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Drimys winteri has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polygodial, drimenol, isodrimeninol, Ca, Cu.

Total chemicals
16
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
polygodial 4 ★★☆☆☆
drimenol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
isodrimeninol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Ca 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cu 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fe 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mg 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mn 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Na 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Zn 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Drimys winteri has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antinociceptive, Fungitoxic.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antinociceptive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fungitoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Drimys winteri has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergic reactions, atherosclerosis, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
allergic reactions 1 ★☆☆☆☆
atherosclerosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurodegenerative diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆