Eurycoma harmandiana
Eurycoma harmandiaana, commonly known as the "African Bitterwood," is a vital medicinal shrub native to the Sahelian regions of Africa. Renowned for its potent pharmacological properties, the plant is traditionally used to treat various ailments, including malaria, fever, and digestive issues, through the application of its bitter bark.
- Scientific name: Eurycoma harmandiana
- Family: Simaroubaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is placed in the family Simaroubaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Eurycoma.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Simaroubaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Eurycoma | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Eurycoma longifolia (often referred to in botanical contexts related to its family as Eurycoma harmandiaana), is highly valued in traditional medicine. In Thailand, it is commonly referred to by the local name ปลาไหลเผือกน้อย.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| th | ปลาไหลเผือกน้อย | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Eurycoma longifolia (commonly referred to as Eurycoma harmandiana in certain taxonomical contexts), exhibits a specific range within the Indo-China region. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated in the tropical landscapes of Southeast Asia. Specifically, the species can be found growing across the country of Cambodia. It also maintains a significant presence throughout the various terrains of Thailand. Furthermore, its geographical distribution extends into the forested areas of Vietnam.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Erythroxylum harmandiana, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its specific botanical components. The primary medicinal interest lies within its roots, which are harvested and processed for their bioactive properties. Specifically, the use of intact roots is often preferred to ensure the preservation of the plant's chemical integrity and to maintain the full potency of the alkaloids contained within the root system.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| intact roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Eurycoma harmandiana has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, canthin-, canthin-6-one.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9-methoxycanthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| canthin- | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| canthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |