Mikania laevigata

Mikania laeviigata, commonly known as the "leafy Mika\" or "climbing plant," is a versatile medicinal herb native to tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering significant potential for contemporary pharmacological research and development.

  • Scientific name: Mikania laevigata
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Within this lineage, it is specifically identified by the genus Mikania.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Mikania WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Mikania laevigata, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the creeping chlorophytum, while in Portuguese, it is known as erva-de-santa-luzia. In Spanish, the plant is identified as mikania or yerba-de-santa-luzia.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence within the borders of Brazil. Its distribution spans multiple distinct regions, including the West-Central area of the country. Additionally, it can be found growing throughout the Southeast region of Brazil. The species also extends its range into the Southern part of the nation. Consequently, these findings highlight a wide presence across various Brazilian territories.

Region Area Source
Brazil Brazil West-Central WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil South WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Mikania laevigata, is a climbing vine whose medicinal properties are primarily derived from its various vegetative components. The leaves are a key feature, often used in traditional remedies due to their specific chemical composition. More broadly, the aerial parts of the vine, which include the stems and foliage above the ground, are frequently collected for decoctions or extracts. Ultimately, it is the concentrated use of the Leaves that remains a central focus in the pharmacological study and application of this species.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Mikania laevigata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarin, ent kaurenoic acid.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
coumarin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ent kaurenoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Mikania laevigata has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, Bronchodilator, Expectorant.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiparasitic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bronchodilator 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Expectorant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Mikania laevigata has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, asthma, bronchoconstriction, edema, mutagenesis.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bronchoconstriction 1 ★☆☆☆☆
edema 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mutagenesis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neuralgia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
respiratory diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆