Balm Of Gilead
Leonotis ocymifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (23 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Balm Of Gilead, scientifically known as Leonotis ocymifolia, is a remarkable medicinal shrub cherished in traditional healing. Renowned for its vibrant orange blooms, this plant possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is frequently utilized to support respiratory health, soothe skin irritations, and promote overall systemic wellness naturally.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf · Leaves
- Common names
- Balm Of Gilead · Minaret Flower · 2 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Phlomis Ocymifolia
Names
Common Names
- Balm Of Gilead
- Minaret Flower
- Rock Lion's Ear
- Rock Lionspaw
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Leonotis ocymifoliaSynonyms
- Phlomis ocymifolia
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Leonotis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Leonotis | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the tropical regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the northeast, the species also expands its range into Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Consequently, these five nations represent the primary geographical locations for this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Leonotis ocymifolia, is a medicinal species where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves serve as a primary source of bioactive compounds, with the individual leaf often being harvested for decoctions or infusions. In addition to the foliage, the aerial parts of the plant, which include the stems and flowers, are frequently employed in traditional remedies. Furthermore, the fruits can also be part of the plant's medicinal profile, contributing to its overall pharmacological utility.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Leonotis ocymifolia has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Caryophyllene oxide, Dubiin, Leonotin, Leonotinin, Nepetaefolin.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Caryophyllene oxide | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dubiin | Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leonotin | Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leonotinin | Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nepetaefolin | Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Leonotis ocymifolia has 6 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antimalarial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Leonotis ocymifolia has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Malaria, Pain, Plasmodium berghei, cancer, diarrhea.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Malaria | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pain | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium berghei | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 80% methanol leaf and fruit extract | Journal of experimental pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 80% methanol leaves extract | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential oils | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaf | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crude aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of the aerial parts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroalcoholic extract | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |