West Indian-elm
Guazuma ulmifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (336 studies) · ★★★★★
West Indian-elm, scientifically known as Guazuma ulmifolia, is a versatile tropical shrub celebrated in traditional medicine. Native to the Caribbean and Central America, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Its leaves and bark are frequently utilized in herbal remedies to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and respiratory inflammation.
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Bark · Bark Of The Stem
- Common names
- West Indian-Elm · Bastard-Cedar
- Scientific synonyms
- Theobroma Tomentosum · Bubroma Polybotryum · 21 more
Names
Common Names
- West Indian-elm
- bastard-cedar
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Bubroma polybotryum
- Guacima
- Guazuma blumei
- Guácima
- Guazuma polybotrya
- Guacimo
- Guazuma invira
- Guácimo
- Bubroma invira
- Bubroma tomentosum
- Guazuma parvifolia
- Bubroma grandiflorum
- Theobroma guazuma
- Guazuma utilis
- Guásima
- Guazuma grandiflora
- Guasima
- bolaina negra
- cabeza de negro
- caulote
- guácimo
- guásima
- parandesiqua
- vácima
- Bellota de cuaulote
- Guasmo
- Guácima
- Guácimo ternero
- majahua
French:
- bois d'orme
- bois de l'orme
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Guazuma ulmifoliaSynonyms
- Theobroma tomentosum
- Bubroma polybotryum
- Bubroma tomentosum
- Bubroma ulmifolia
- Guazuma guazuma var. ulmifolia
- Guazuma guazuma var. tomentosa
- Guazuma tomentosa var. cumanensis
- Guazuma blumei
- Guazuma bubroma
- Guazuma polybotrya
- Guazuma tomentosa
- Guazuma ulmifolia var. glabra
- Guazuma ulmifolia var. trianae
- Guazuma ulmifolia var. velutina
- Guazuma utilis
- Diuroglossum rufescens
- Bubroma guasuma
- Theobroma guazuma
- Theobroma celtifolium
- Guazuma coriacea
- Guazuma ulmifolia var. tomentosa
- Guazuma tomentosa var. monpoxensis
- Guazuma tomentosa var. parvifolia
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, it is positioned in the family Malvaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Guazuma.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Guazuma | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions in the Indian Ocean and the Asian continent. Within the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is noted in both Mauritius and Réunion. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is widely established in India. It also maintains a significant presence across the landscape of Pakistan. Finally, the plant can be found growing within the borders of Sri Lanka.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Guácimo, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties, particularly the stem bark. In many traditional medicinal practices, the bark of the stem is harvested to prepare infusions or decoctions used to treat inflammatory conditions. The medicinal potency is often concentrated within the stem bark, making the extraction of the bark a vital step in processing the plant. Ultimately, whether referred to as the bark or the stem bark, these structural parts are essential for accessing the bioactive compounds required for healing.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| bark | Planta medica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark of the stem | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Guazuma ulmifolia has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Betulin, Epigallocatechin, Epigallocatechin gallate.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Betulin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epigallocatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epigallocatechin gallate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Friedelin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Friedelin-3beta-ol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallocatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kaempferitrin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lignoceric acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid
- Dr. Duke
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
Betulin
- Dr. Duke
Epigallocatechin
- International journal of molecular sciences
Epigallocatechin gallate
- International journal of molecular sciences
Friedelin
- Dr. Duke
Friedelin-3beta-ol
- Dr. Duke
Gallocatechin
- International journal of molecular sciences
Kaempferitrin
- Dr. Duke
Lignoceric acid
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Guazuma ulmifolia has 246 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Cytotoxic, (+)-Inotropic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATPase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adenosine-Antagonist | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Guazuma ulmifolia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, coughs, gastrointestinal disorders.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | Natural product communications (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coughs | Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanolic extract | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |