Enicostema axillare
Enicostema axillare, commonly known as "falso-cordão-de-frade," is a versatile medicinal plant native to Brazil. Valued in traditional medicine, it possesses significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. Often used in herbal decoctions, this species plays a crucial role in folk healing practices, offering potential therapeutic benefits for various ailments.
- Scientific name: Enicostema axillare
- Family: Gentianaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Gentianaales and the family Gentianaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Enicostema.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Gentianaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Enicostema | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Enicostema axillare, is widely recognized by various local names across different regions. In the Tamil language, it is commonly referred to by the names வெள்ளறுகு and வெள்ளருகு.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ta | வெள்ளறுகு | Wikidata |
| ta | வெள்ளருகு | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and throughout Sudan and South Sudan. Its presence extends further into East Tropical Africa as well. Specifically, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Kenya. Finally, its range reaches into Tanzania, completing its distribution within these tropical zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Enicostema axillare, is a medicinal herb valued for its diverse therapeutic properties. While the entire herb is often utilized in traditional medicine due to its rich bioactive compounds, the leaf extract is particularly significant in pharmacological applications. Researchers frequently focus on this specific extract to study its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-malarial activities, highlighting the importance of both the whole plant and its concentrated components in herbal healing.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Enicostema axillare has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include swertiamarin.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| swertiamarin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Enicostema axillare has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, cancer, inflammation, psoriasis.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| psoriasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhinitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |