redhead
Hamelia patens · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (69 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
Redhead, scientifically known as Hamelia patens, is a vibrant tropical shrub cherished for its fiery orange-red tubular flowers. Native to the Americas, this versatile plant serves both ornamental and medicinal purposes. It is traditionally utilized in herbal remedies to treat skin conditions, inflammation, and various digestive ailments.
Names
Common Names
- redhead
- Firebush
- Mexican Firecracker
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Duhamelia odorata
- Hamelia patens var. glabra
- Hamelia pedicellata
- Hamelia lanuginosa
- Hamelia patens var quinifolia
- Hamelia suaveolens
- Hamelia patens var glabra
- Hamelia brittoniana
- Hamelia patens var axillaroides
- Hamelia corymbosa
- Duhamelia sphaerocarpa
- Hamelia intermedia
- Hamelia patens var erecta
- Hamelia viridifolia
- Hamelia sphaerocarpa
- Hamelia latifolia
- Anavaco
- Buzunuco
- Cafetillo
- Coralillo
- Deshierba conuco
- Fosforillo
- Zorrillo real
- trompetilla
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Hamelia patensSynonyms
- Duhamelia patens
- Duhamelia sphaerocarpa
- Hamelia brittoniana
- Hamelia brachystemon
- Hamelia patens var. erecta
- Periclymenum verticillatum
- Schoenleinia thyrsoidea
- Hamelia patens var. axillaroides
- Hamelia verticillata
- Hamelia viridifolia
- Hamelia corymbosa
- Duhamelia odorata
- Hamelia coccinea
- Hamelia patens var. quinifolia
- Hamelia sphaerocarpa
- Hamelia pedicellata
- Lonicera verticillata
- Hamelia suaveolens
- Hamelia tubiflora
- Hamelia lanuginosa
- Hamelia latifolia
- Hamelia nodosa
- Hamelia ovata
- Hamelia erecta
- Hamelia intermedia
- Hamelia patens var. glabra
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales. Finally, Hamelia patens is a member of the family Rubiaceae and falls under the genus Hamelia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hamelia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climate zones. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found specifically in the West Himalaya region. Its range extends into Malesia, where it is located in Malaya. In North America, the species inhabits the Southeastern U.S.A., specifically within the state of Florida. Finally, its presence is noted in Mexico, covering both the Central and Northeast territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Hamelia patens, commonly known as Firebush, utilizes various components for its traditional medicinal applications. The root bark is often studied for its bioactive compounds, while the leaves are frequently employed in topical preparations or infusions to address inflammation and skin conditions. Furthermore, the aerial parts, which encompass the stems and flowers, contain a diverse range of phytochemicals that contribute to the plant's overall therapeutic profile in holistic practices.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hamelia patens has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isopteropodine, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Epicatechin, Flavonoids, Glycosides.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Isopteropodine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROGENIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glycosides | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytosterols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pteropodine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rumberine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Seneciophylline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Isopteropodine
- Dr. Duke
- Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
CHLOROGENIC ACID
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Epicatechin
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Flavonoids
- Annals of African medicine
Glycosides
- Annals of African medicine
Phytosterols
- Annals of African medicine
Pteropodine
- Dr. Duke
Rumberine
- Dr. Duke
Saponins
- Annals of African medicine
Seneciophylline
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Hamelia patens has 39 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiHIV | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticariogenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiarrheic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidysenteric | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hamelia patens has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes, HeLa cells, herpes simplex virus, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemic effects.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| type 2 diabetes | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HeLa cells | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic effects | Journal of medicinal food (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor cell lines | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumors | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| DCM-EtOAc | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HEX | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MeOH-Aq | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MeOH-EtOAc | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methanol extracts | Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol extracts | Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanolic extracts | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |