Home > Herbs > Lactuca Indica

Indian lettuce

Lactuca indica · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (44 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Indian lettuce, scientifically known as Lactuca indica, is a versatile medicinal herb native to various Asian regions. Renowned for its cooling properties, this plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, fever, and digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant therapeutic potential in holistic healing practices.

Family
Asteraceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Flower · Leaf
Common names
Indian Lettuce
Scientific synonyms
Lactuca Dracoglossa · Lactuca Indica Var. Laciniata · 29 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Pterocypsela indica

German:

  • Pterocypsela indica
  • chinesischer Salat

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Lactuca indica

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Lactuca.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Lactuca WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Central African Republic. Its presence extends to Southern Africa, specifically in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Western Indian Ocean. This includes notable populations located in Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Comoros WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Madagascar WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Réunion WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Seychelles WCVP
Siberia Chita WCVP
Russian Far East Amur WCVP
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Lactuca indica, possesses several distinct parts that contribute to its botanical structure and medicinal properties. The plant features sturdy stems that support its upright growth, while the extensive root system helps anchor the plant and absorb essential nutrients from the soil. Its lush, green leaves are a prominent feature, often utilized in traditional applications. During its reproductive phase, the plant produces delicate flowers that eventually give rise to small seeds, which are vital for the dispersal and continuation of the species.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
flower Food chemistry: X (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
leaf Food chemistry: X (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
root Food chemistry: X (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
stem Food chemistry: X (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
seed Food chemistry: X (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Lactuca indica has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RUTIN, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin.

Chemicals reported in Lactuca indica
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
RUTIN 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
CHLOROGENIC ACID 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
luteolin 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
11beta,13-Dihydrolactucin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Chicoric acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cichoric Acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Lactucain A 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

RUTIN

  1. Journal of natural products
  2. Food chemistry: X
  3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

  1. Journal of natural products
  2. Food chemistry: X

Flavonoids

  1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

apigenin

  1. Journal of natural products
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

luteolin

  1. Journal of natural products
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin

  1. Journal of natural products
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

11beta,13-Dihydrolactucin

  1. Journal of natural products

Chicoric acid

  1. Food chemistry: X

Cichoric Acid

  1. Food chemistry: X

Lactucain A

  1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Lactuca indica has 1 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
Antidiabetic Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Lactuca indica has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Antidiabetic, hepatitis B virus.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
Antidiabetic Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
hepatitis B virus Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆