Erythrina mulungu
Erythrina mulungu, commonly known as Mulungu, is a medicinal tree native to South America. Renowned for its potent sedative and anxiolytic properties, its bark is frequently used in herbal medicine to alleviate anxiety, insomnia, and stress. This botanical powerhouse offers a natural approach to calming the nervous system.
- Scientific name: Erythrina mulungu
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Erythrina and the specific species mulungu.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Erythrina | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by several different names depending on the language and specific regional classification. In Portuguese, it is commonly referred to as Mulungú or Erythrina flammea. Furthermore, the names Erythrina verna, Erythrina verna, and Erythrina verna are used in Swedish, Cebuano, and War respectively.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Mulungú | Wikidata |
| sv | Erythrina verna | Wikidata |
| ceb | Erythrina verna | Wikidata |
| war | Erythrina verna | Wikidata |
| pt | Erythrina flammea | Wikidata |
| pt | Erythrina verna | Wikidata |
| pt | Corallodendron mulungu | Wikidata |
| es | Flor de coral | Wikidata |
| es | Mongoleiro | Wikidata |
| es | Erythrina flammea | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, its range includes the country of Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species is specifically documented in both the West-Central and Southeast regions. Moving toward Southern South America, it can be found in the Northeast of Argentina. Finally, its distribution extends into the Northwest portion of Argentina as well.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Erythrina mulungu, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic properties derived from specific anatomical structures. The most significant components used for medicinal preparations are the stem barks, which are often decocted to create extracts used for their calming and sedative effects. Specifically, the thick stem bark is carefully harvested to ensure the potency of the active compounds. In addition to the stem barks, the vibrant flowers are also recognized for their role within the plant's biological profile, though the bark remains the primary focus for those seeking its psychoactive benefits.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythrina mulungu has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-alpha-hydroxyerysotrine, (+)-erythravine.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (+)-alpha-hydroxyerysotrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-erythravine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Erythrina mulungu has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Anxiolytic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erythrina mulungu has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Anxiolytic effects, Staphylococcus aureus, asthma, central nervous system, leishmania.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiolytic effects | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| central nervous system | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmania | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trypanosomiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |