Momordica foetida
Momoirdica foetida, commonly known as the stinking bitter gourd, is a versatile medicinal plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Renowned for its pungent aroma, it holds significant value in traditional medicine. Various parts of the plant are utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive disorders and inflammation.
- Scientific name: Momordica foetida
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Momordica foetida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Momordica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Momordica | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Momordica foetida, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Russian, it is called Момордика вонючая, while in Arabic, it is identified as معضوضة منتنة. In Amharic, the plant is known as የቁራኣምሽ, and in Egyptian Arabic, it is referred to as معضوضه منتنه.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Момордика вонючая | Wikidata |
| ar | معضوضة منتنة | Wikidata |
| am | የቁራኣምሽ | Wikidata |
| arz | معضوضه منتنه | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific area, its presence is documented in Benin and Ghana. The species can also be found throughout the territory of Guinea. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends into Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical distribution includes the nation of Liberia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Momordica foetida, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The green leaves are frequently employed in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments and inflammatory conditions. Additionally, the powdered roots are harvested and processed to be used in medicinal preparations, often serving as a potent remedy for various internal ailments due to their concentrated bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Powdered roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Momordica foetida has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, momordicoside E.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnesium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| momordicoside E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zinc | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Momordica foetida has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Anthelmintic, Antiplasmodial.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Abortifacient | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Momordica foetida has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Salmonella, candidiasis, fevers, inflammations.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fevers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammations | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| typhoid fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| viruses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |