Entada rheedei

African dream herb

Entada rheedei, commonly known as the Sea Bean or River Bean, is a vigorous woody climber native to tropical Asia. Renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, this plant offers diverse therapeutic benefits, particularly for treating skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, making it a significant botanical resource in herbal pharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Entada rheedei
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, specifically within the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Entada.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Entada WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Entada rheedei, is recognized by various local and regional names across different languages. In German, it is referred to as Afrikanisches Traumkraut, while in Vietnamese and Mandarin, it is simply called Entada rheedii. In Malayalam, the plant is known as പരണ്ടവള്ളി, and in Thai, it is commonly called สะบ้า.
Language Common Name Source
de Afrikanisches Traumkraut Wikidata
vi Entada rheedii Wikidata
hu Entada rheedii Wikidata
ml പരണ്ടവള്ളി Wikidata
th สะบ้า Wikidata
sv Entada rheedii Wikidata
ceb Entada rheedii Wikidata
war Entada rheedii Wikidata
ta யானைக் கொழிஞ்சி Wikidata
af Seeboontjie Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Entada rheedei, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the nation of Ghana, where it grows within local ecosystems. The species is also found within the borders of Guinea-Bissau, extending its range across the region. Additionally, the plant can be located in Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its distribution continues southward into the territory of Liberia.

Region Area Source
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
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as the Kaunch seed or Mucuna pruriens, is highly valued in traditional medicine, particularly for its potent therapeutic properties. While the entire plant contains various bioactive compounds, the most significant medicinal component is found within the seed kernels. These kernels are rich in the amino acid L-Dopa, which plays a crucial role in neurological health and is frequently utilized to manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Because of this high concentration of active alkaloids, the processing and extraction of the seed kernels are central to the plant's application in herbal pharmacology.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seed kernels 3 ★★☆☆☆

Chemicals

Entada rheedei has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include N-acetylglucosamine, corchoionoside C, entadamide A, homogentisic acid.

Total chemicals
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
N-acetylglucosamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
corchoionoside C 1 ★☆☆☆☆
entadamide A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
homogentisic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Entada rheedei has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include AIDS, HIV, HIV infection.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
AIDS 1 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV 1 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV infection 1 ★☆☆☆☆