Limonia acidissima
Wood-apple
Limonia acidissima, commonly known as the wood apple, is a versatile medicinal plant native to South Asia. Renowned for its astringent properties, the fruit and bark are used to treat digestive ailments, dysentery, and fever. This nutrient-rich botanical serves as a vital natural remedy in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
- Scientific name: Limonia acidissima
- Family: Rutaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae, it is classified under the genus Limonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Limonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Limonia acidissima, is recognized by various regional and linguistic names across the globe. In Hindi, it is commonly referred to as कबिट, while in Portuguese, it is known as Limonia. In Javanese, the plant is called Kawis, and in Russian, it is described as Деревянное яблоко. Additionally, in Spanish, it carries the name Limonia.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | कबिट | Wikidata |
| pt | Limonia | Wikidata |
| jv | Kawis | Wikidata |
| ru | Деревянное яблоко | Wikidata |
| es | Limonia | Wikidata |
| ta | விளா | Wikidata |
| th | มะขวิด | Wikidata |
| si | දිවුල් | Wikidata |
| id | Kawista | Wikidata |
| ml | വിളാവ് | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the vast landscape of the Indian Subcontinent. Within this region, it can be found growing in the diverse environments of India and Pakistan. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the territory of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species extends its range to the lush terrains of Assam. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the island nation of Sri Lanka.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Limonia acidissima, commonly known as the wood apple, possesses various therapeutic components where the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine. The stem serves as the structural foundation for the tree, while the stem bark is often harvested for its specific medicinal properties. The leaves are highly valued for their bioactive compounds, and the roots are sometimes employed in decoctions to treat various ailments. Ultimately, the versatility of the species ensures that almost every part, from the sturdy stem to the delicate leaves, contributes to its pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Limonia acidissima has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, sterols, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Limonia acidissima has 14 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihistaminic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispermatogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astringent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Limonia acidissima has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obstructive pulmonary diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skin diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |