Pedalium murex
Common pedalium
Pedalium murium, commonly known as Punarnava or Sandakalli, is a resilient medicinal herb native to tropical regions. Renowned for its powerful diuretic and rejuvenative properties, it is widely used in traditional medicine to support kidney health, reduce edema, and combat inflammation, offering significant therapeutic benefits for overall vitality.
- Scientific name: Pedalium murex
- Family: Pedaliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Lamiales and the family Pedaliaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Pedalium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Pedaliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pedalium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Pedalium murianum, is recognized by various regional and international names across different languages. In English, it is known as Common Pedalium, while in Hindi, it is referred to as बड़ा गोखरू (Bada Gokhru). In Bengali, the plant is called বিলাতি গোখুর (Bilati Gokhru), and in Tamil, it is known as ஆனை நெருஞ்சில் (Aanai Nerunjil). Additionally, in Malayalam, it is commonly called വലിയ ഞെരിഞ്ഞിൽ (Valiya Njerinjil).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | വലിയ ഞെരിഞ്ഞിൽ | Wikidata |
| bn | বিলাতি গোখুর | Wikidata |
| hi | बड़ा गोखरू | Wikidata |
| ta | ஆனை நெருஞ்சில் | Wikidata |
| en | Common Pedalium | Wikidata |
| en | Large Caltrops | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Pedalium murianum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to occur throughout Ghana. Its presence is also noted in the Ivory Coast, highlighting its regional importance. Finally, the plant is distributed within the territories of both Nigeria and Togo.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Pedalium murineum, possesses distinct morphological features across its various components that are utilized in traditional medicine. The leaves are typically small, fleshy, and arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, often displaying a succulent texture that helps the plant retain moisture. Each individual leaf contributes to the plant's ability to thrive in arid environments, providing the necessary surface area for photosynthesis. Furthermore, the seed plays a crucial role in the plant's life cycle and medicinal application, as the extracts derived from these seeds are frequently studied for their potential therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pedalium murex has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pedalium murex has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pedalium murex has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Hyperglycemia, Peptic ulcer, asthma, dysuria, gastric ulcer.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Peptic ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysuria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gonorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hematuria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| male infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| syphilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |