Litsea cubeba
Litsea cubeba, commonly known as Indonesian bay leaf or Mayang, is a versatile tropical evergreen shrub prized for its aromatic properties. Native to Southeast Asia, its essential oils offer potent antimicrobial and antifungal benefits. Traditionally used in culinary applications and herbal medicine, it remains a valuable botanical resource worldwide.
- Scientific name: Litsea cubeba
- Family: Lauraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Laurales, it is classified under the family Lauraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Litsea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Laurales | WCVP |
| Family | Lauraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Litsea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Litsea cubeba, is referred to by various names depending on the region and language. In Vietnamese, it is called Màng tang, while in Chinese, it is known as 山鸡椒. Those speaking Cantonese use the name 山胡椒, and in Russian, it is referred to as лицея кубеба. Additionally, in Japanese, the plant is identified as リツェア・クベバ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vi | Màng tang | Wikidata |
| zh | 山鸡椒 | Wikidata |
| yue | 山胡椒 | Wikidata |
| ru | лицея кубеба | Wikidata |
| ja | リツェア・クベバ | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 山胡椒 | Wikidata |
| ko | 산계초 | Wikidata |
| tay | maqaw | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 山鸡椒 | Wikidata |
| arz | ليتسى كوبيبا | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found growing in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. Its range also extends into the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Additionally, the species is naturally distributed throughout parts of Eastern Asia, specifically in Japan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Indonesian bay leaf, possesses several components that contribute to its medicinal and aromatic profile. The leaves are perhaps the most widely utilized part, valued for their distinct fragrance and therapeutic properties. While the stems provide the structural framework for the shrub or small tree, the roots and the root system serve as vital anchors for the plant's growth. Additionally, the fruit of Litsea cubeba can be observed as it matures, completing the botanical cycle of this versatile species.- Total parts
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 27
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stems | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Litsea cubeba has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, (+)- N-(methoxycarbonyl)-N-norboldine, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol, Compound 4, Copaene.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)- N-(methoxycarbonyl)-N-norboldine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Compound 4 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Copaene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LCA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-cis-ocimene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-phellandrene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-terpinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carveol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Litsea cubeba has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antiparasitic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Litsea cubeba has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, cold, antioxidant, arthritis, blood pressure.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastroenteritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |