Himalayan Balsam
Impatiens glandulifera · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (12 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Himalayan Balsam, scientifically known as Impatiens glandulifera, is a vigorous annual herb native to the Himalayas. Renowned for its striking pink flowers and explosive seed dispersal, it holds traditional medicinal value. Often used in folk remedies for skin ailments and inflammation, it remains a significant subject of botanical study.
Names
Common Names
- Himalayan balsam
- glandular touch-me-not
- ornamental jewelweed
- policeman's helmet
- purple jewelweed
- Indian Balsam
- policeman's-helmet
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Impatiens glanduligera
- Impatiens royleana
- Impatiens macrochila
- Balsamina glandulifera
- Impatiens roylei
- Impatiens moschata
- Balsamina roylei
- Impatiens taprobanica
- Impatiens candida
- Balsamina macrochila
- Impatiens cornigera
- impaciencia
German:
- Drüsiges Springkraut
- Indisches Springkraut
- Emscherorchidee
- Wupperorchidee
- drüsiges Springkraut
- indisches Springkraut
- Druesiges Springkraut
French:
- Balsamine de l'Himalaya
- Impatiente glanduleuse
- Impatiente de l'Himalaya
- balsamine de lhimalaya
- Balsamine géante
- Balsamine glanduleuse
- balsamine de l'Himalaya
- balsamine glanduleuse
- balsamine géante
- impatiente glanduleuse
- millefleurs
- balsamie de l'Himmalaya
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Impatiens glanduliferaSynonyms
- Impatiens roylei var. candida
- Impatiens sulcata var. glandulifera
- Impatiens roylei var. moschata
- Balsamina roylei
- Impatiens macrochila
- Impatiens roylei var. macrochila
- Impatiens glandulifera f. pallidiflora
- Impatiens glanduligera
- Impatiens moschata
- Impatiens roylei f. albida
- Impatiens candida
- Impatiens roylei var. pallidiflora
- Impatiens royleana
- Balsamina macrochila
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Impatiens glandulifera, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ericales and the family Balsaminaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Impatiens.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Balsaminaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Impatiens | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the northern territories of Finland and Norway. The species is also well-established throughout the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range in the northern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan Balsam, features distinctive leaves that play a key role in its growth and identification. The leaves are typically arranged in an alternate pattern along the succulent, reddish stem and are characterized by their broadly ovate or lanceolate shape. They possess sharply serrated or toothed margins and an acute apex, often appearing somewhat translucent with prominent venation. These lush, green leaves are essential for the plant's rapid development, allowing it to efficiently capture sunlight and support its vigorous annual life cycle.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Impatiens glandulifera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Naphthoquinones, Steroids, Terpenoids.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Naphthoquinones | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Steroids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- The Science of the total environment
Naphthoquinones
- The Science of the total environment
Steroids
- The Science of the total environment
Terpenoids
- The Science of the total environment
Activities
Impatiens glandulifera has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelopathic, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Allelopathic | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Impatiens glandulifera has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, antioxidant.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| antidepressant | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | The Science of the total environment (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |