Lippia grata

Lippia gratia, commonly known as gratia or gratia herb, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat digestive ailments and skin infections, offering a natural remedy rooted in deep botanical heritage.

  • Scientific name: Lippia grata
  • Family: Verbenaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized within the order Lamiales and the family Verbenaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is defined by the genus Lippia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Verbenaceae WCVP
Genus Lippia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Lippia gratia, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as gratia, while in Spanish, it is known as gratia or hierba de la gratia. In Portuguese, the plant is called gratia, and in the local context of certain regions, it is also identified as Lippia.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is specifically noted within Venezuela. Its distribution extends to Western South America, where it can be found in Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species is widely spread across the West-Central region. Furthermore, it inhabits both 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
Brazil Brazil North WCVP
Southern South America Argentina Northeast WCVP
Southern South America Argentina Northwest WCVP
Southern South America Paraguay WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Lippia gratia, utilizes its various components for both biological function and medicinal application. The most prominent part used in traditional remedies is the leaf, which contains a concentrated array of bioactive compounds. Through the extraction of these leaves, one can obtain the essential oil, a potent substance rich in aromatic constituents that serves as the primary source of the plant's therapeutic properties.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
essential oil 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Lippia grata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include thymol.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
thymol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Lippia grata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Depression, neurological disorders.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Depression 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurological disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆