Aztec Sweet Herb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Aztec Sweet Herb

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lippia dulcis var. mexicana
• Zappania scaberrima
• Phyla scaberrima
• Phyla dulcis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Lippia dulcis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Verbenaceae and is situated within the genus Lippia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several diverse regions throughout the country of Mexico. Its presence is widely documented across Mexico Central, where it thrives in various local ecosystems. Additionally, the species can be found extending into Mexico Northeast and throughout the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. It also inhabits the landscapes of Mexico Southwest, showing significant adaptability to different climates. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal species reaches into the tropical environments of Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lippia dulcis is defined by a broad altitudinal adaptability, allowing it to colonize diverse topographical landscapes. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, occupying habitats ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling the plant to persist in both lowland tropical environments and higher-altitude montane ecosystems. Such a wide distribution implies that the species can tolerate varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations associated with changing elevations, provided the underlying soil and moisture conditions remain suitable for its growth.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lippia dulcis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it is categorized under the life form of a chamaephyte, a designation that indicates its buds and growth points are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or ground cover. This specific growth habit as a chamaephyte helps the plant navigate its environmental conditions, ensuring its longevity as a perennial species within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lippia dulcis is characterized by its growth form as a shrubby herb that typically reaches a mean height of approximately 2 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semi-aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with vines or lianas, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its physical composition, the plant is classified as non-woody, contributing to its specific shrubby-herbaceous habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lippia dulcis is characterized by its specialized metabolic pathways and structural adaptations suited for its native environments. As a member of the Verbenaceae family, the plant exhibits robust photosynthetic activity, utilizing C3 carbon fixation to convert light energy into chemical energy. Its metabolic profile is particularly notable for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including essential oils and phenolic compounds, which serve as defense mechanisms against herbivory and environmental stressors. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and nitrogen assimilation are entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lippia dulcis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate genetic exchange. This reproductive strategy is primarily driven by insect pollination, which serves as the central mechanism for transferring pollen between flowers. Specifically, the plant engages with a diverse array of insect pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other various insect species, to ensure successful fertilization. By utilizing these biotic vectors, the plant optimizes its reproductive success through targeted animal-mediated pollen dispersal.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lippia dulcis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Natural product communications

Flower

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Lippia dulcis has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hernandulcin, camphor, (+)-Hernandulcin, (-)-Epihernandulcin, 6-METHYL-5-HEPTEN-2-ONE.

Hernandulcin

1. Natural product communications
2. Plant cell reports
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

camphor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(+)-Hernandulcin

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Epihernandulcin

1. Journal of natural products

6-METHYL-5-HEPTEN-2-ONE

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Natural product communications

DELTA-CADINENE

1. Natural product communications

Epilippidulcines B

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoids

1. Journal of natural products

Peroxyepilippidulcine B

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Lippia dulcis has 191 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Lippia dulcis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, coughs, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders.

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coughs

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Revista de gastroenterologia del Peru : organo oficial de la Sociedad de Gastroenterologia del Peru

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Lippia dulcis has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Decoction or infusion, Essential oil from leaves, cell suspensions, ethanolic extracts.

Decoction or infusion

1. Revista de gastroenterologia del Peru : organo oficial de la Sociedad de Gastroenterologia del Peru

Essential oil from leaves

1. Natural product communications

Cell suspensions

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology