Elaeis guineensis
Elaeis guineensis, commonly known as the African oil palm, is a versatile perennial plant widely utilized in traditional medicine. Beyond its economic importance for oil production, various parts of the tree—including roots, bark, and fruits—possess significant therapeutic properties, often used to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Elaeis guineensis
- Family: Arecaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized within the order Arecales and the family Arecaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is placed under the genus Elaeis, specifically as the species Elaeis guineensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Arecales | WCVP |
| Family | Arecaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Elaeis | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Elaeis guineensis, is widely distributed across various regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. The species is also documented to inhabit the landscapes of Burkina. Furthermore, its presence extends to the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | 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 |
Chemicals
Elaeis guineensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, DPP, alpha-Amyrin palmitate, catechins, fat.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DPP | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-Amyrin palmitate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Elaeis guineensis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarthritic, Antihypertensive, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiarthritic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Elaeis guineensis has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus infections.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toxoplasma gondii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insects | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |