Jatropha mollissima

Jatrophia mollisima, commonly known as the "milk bush" or "soapberry," is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its succulent leaves and latex, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammatory conditions, offering significant pharmacological potential in modern herbal medicine.

  • Scientific name: Jatropha mollissima
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

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 Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and falls under the genus Jatropha.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Euphorbiaceae WCVP
Genus Jatropha WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western portion of the continent, the species can also be found in Bolivia. Within Brazil, its range is quite extensive, covering the West-Central territories. Additionally, the plant is widely distributed throughout the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil.

Region Area Source
Northern South America Venezuela WCVP
Western South America Bolivia WCVP
Brazil Brazil West-Central WCVP
Brazil Brazil Northeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP

Chemicals

Jatropha mollissima has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gallic acid, mandelic acid, polyphenols, pyrogallol, quercetin.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mandelic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pyrogallol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Jatropha mollissima has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anticoagulant, antioxidant, cardiotoxicity, myotoxicity, oxidative stress.

Total uses
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
anticoagulant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiotoxicity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myotoxicity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
snakebites 1 ★☆☆☆☆
vasorelaxant 1 ★☆☆☆☆