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Litsea

Litsea · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (25 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

, scientifically known as Litsea, is a versatile genus within the Lauraceae family, comprising various aromatic shrubs and trees. Renowned for its essential oils, Litsea species offer significant therapeutic potential. Traditionally used in folk medicine, these plants provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, making them vital in herbal pharmacology.

Family
Lauraceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Not available
Scientific synonyms
Hexanthus · Tetranthera · 11 more

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Litsea

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Tetranthera
  • Laureles del monte

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 and the family Lauraceae, it is classified under the genus Litsea.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Laurales
Family Lauraceae
Genus Litsea

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct tropical regions. In Southern Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the KwaZulu-Natal province. Furthermore, it is found extensively throughout the Western Indian Ocean islands. This includes documented occurrences in the Comoros and the island of Mauritius. Finally, its range extends to the islands of Réunion and Rodrigues.

Region Area
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal
Western Indian Ocean Comoros
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius
Western Indian Ocean Réunion
Western Indian Ocean Rodrigues
Western Indian Ocean Seychelles
China China South-Central
China Hainan
China China North-Central
China China Southeast

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Activities

Litsea has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiasthmatic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.

Activities reported in Litsea
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antiasthmatic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antiasthmatic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Litsea has 13 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, asthma, cold, diarrhea, dyspepsia.

Conditions investigated for Litsea
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Arthritis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Asthma 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cold 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diarrhea 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Dyspepsia 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Edema 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gastroenteritis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gastrointestinal diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gastrointestinal disorders 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Inflammation 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Arthritis

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Asthma

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cold

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dyspepsia

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Edema

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastroenteritis

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal disorders

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology