Madhuca longifolia
Madhuca longifolia, commonly known as Mahua, is a versatile medicinal tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Renowned for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, various parts of the plant—including bark, flowers, and seeds—are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin disorders and inflammation.
- Scientific name: Madhuca longifolia
- Family: Sapotaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Sapotaceae. Its scientific designation is finalized within the genus Madhuca, where it is known as Madhuca longifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Sapotaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Madhuca | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the diverse landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of India, where it thrives in various habitats. The species also has a notable presence in the country of Bangladesh. Additionally, its geographical range extends into the hilly terrains of Nepal. Finally, this medicinal plant is also documented to occur in Sri Lanka.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
Chemicals
Madhuca longifolia has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include myricitrin, Ascorbic acid, Bassiaic acid, Betulinic Acid, Lupeol.
- Total chemicals
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| myricitrin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bassiaic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Betulinic Acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nicotinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pantothenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Riboflavin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Thiamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Madhuca longifolia has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Galactagogue.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Galactagogue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Madhuca longifolia has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Dental caries, Liver cancer, Streptococcus mutans, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus mutans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatic cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |