Soft bollygum
Litsea glutinosa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (27 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Soft bollygum, scientifically known as Litsea glutinosa, is a versatile evergreen tree native to South Asia. Renowned for its aromatic leaves and medicinal properties, it is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic practices. This plant offers significant bioactive compounds, making it a valuable resource for treating various ailments and skin conditions.
Names
Common Names
- Indian-laurel
- bolly-beech
- brown bolly-gum
- brown bollywood
- brown-beech
- soft bollygum
- Bolly Beech
- Indian Laurel
- Pond Spice
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Litsea glutinosaSynonyms
- Bischofia cumingiana
- Malapoenna undulata
- Iozoste chinensis
- Dodecadenia robusta
- Malapoenna macrantha
- Decapenta involucrata
- Tetradenia brideliifolia
- Litsea glutinosa var. normalis
- Tetranthera litoralis
- Litsea glutinosa var. brachyphylla
- Litsea glutinosa var. longifolia
- Litsea geminata
- Tetranthera platyphylla
- Litsea involucrata
- Tetranthera roxburghii
- Litsea multiflora
- Litsea platyphylla
- Tetranthera geminata
- Litsea baracatanensis
- Tetranthera glabraria
- Litsea apetala
- Litsea brideliifolia
- Tetranthera citrifolia
- Lepidadenia wightiana
- Polyadenia grandifolia
- Actinodaphne chinensis
- Pipalia solitaria
- Sebifera glutinosa
- Litsea laurifolia var. roxburghii
- Tetranthera laurifolia var. attenuata
- Litsea glutinosa var. littoralis
- Tetranthera laurifolia var. multiflora
- Litsea glutinosa var. brideliifolia
- Tetranthera laurifolia var. roxburghii
- Litsea sebifera var. brachyphylla
- Litsea involucrata var. fernandezii
- Glabraria litoralis
- Camellia integrifolia
- Litsea glutinosa var. platyphylla
- Litsea sebifera var. longifolia
- Litsea sebifera var. normalis
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 Laurales and 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct island regions and coastal areas. In Southern Africa, it can be specifically located within the KwaZulu-Natal province. Its presence extends significantly into the Western Indian Ocean, where it is found in the Comoros. Furthermore, the species is established on the island of Mauritius. Finally, its geographical range includes the islands of Réunion and Rodrigues.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Rodrigues | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Indian bay leaf, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties. The bark is frequently employed in traditional remedies due to its aromatic and therapeutic qualities. Furthermore, the leaves are highly valued, often being used in decoctions or infusions to treat various ailments. Whether in their whole form or processed, the leaves serve as a vital part of the plant's medicinal profile.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | TheScientificWorldJournal (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | Bangladesh Medical Research Council bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Litsea glutinosa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Saponins, Sterols, Tannins.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | PloS one (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phenols | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sterols | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Litsea glutinosa has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Litsea glutinosa has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, carcinoma, digestive system disorders, fever, insulin resistance.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carcinoma | TheScientificWorldJournal (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| digestive system disorders | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leprosy | TheScientificWorldJournal (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid metabolism | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | PloS one (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | TheScientificWorldJournal (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Bangladesh Medical Research Council bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Petroleum extracted fractions | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extracted samples | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crude methanolic extracted samples | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |