Grindelia tarapacana
Grindelia tarapacana, commonly known as tara, is a versatile medicinal plant native to the Andean highlands. Renowned for its potent therapeutic properties, it is traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin inflammations. Its rich bioactive compounds make it a vital resource in indigenous ethnomedicine.
- Scientific name: Grindelia tarapacana
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is a member of the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Grindelia, where it is known as Grindelia tarapacana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Grindelia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Grindelia tarapacana, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Spanish, it is frequently referred to as tarapacana, while in Quechua, it is known as tarapacana.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within specific regions of the South American continent. Its geographical range extends through Western South America, with a notable presence in Peru. Additionally, the species can be located in the southern reaches of the continent. Specifically, it inhabits the northern parts of Chile. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Grindelia tarapacana, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its chemical composition, particularly the presence of its essential oil. This volatile oil, extracted from the plant's components, contains the bioactive compounds responsible for its therapeutic properties, such as its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. The essential oil serves as a key concentrated part of the plant used in various medicinal preparations to treat respiratory and skin conditions.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Grindelia tarapacana has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include E-nerolidol, bornyl acetate, fokienol, germacrene B.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| E-nerolidol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bornyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fokienol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |