Petiveria alliacea
Petiveria alliacea, commonly known as Anamu or Guinea weed, is a versatile medicinal herb prized in traditional healing. Renowned for its pungent, garlic-like aroma, this plant possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is widely utilized across tropical regions to support immune health and combat various infections.
- Scientific name: Petiveria alliacea
- Family: Petiveriaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Caryophyllales and placed in the family Petiveriaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Petiveria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Petiveriaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Petiveria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Petiveria alliacea, is referred to by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Portuguese, it is known as Petiveria tetrandra, while in Haitian Creole, it is called Fèy ave. In Spanish-speaking regions, it is widely recognized as anamu, and in Persian, it is written as پتیوریا آلیاسی. Additionally, in Chinese, the plant is commonly called 蒜味草.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Petiveria tetrandra | Wikidata |
| ht | Fèy ave | Wikidata |
| es | anamu | Wikidata |
| fa | پتیوریا آلیاسی | Wikidata |
| zh | 蒜味草 | Wikidata |
| gn | anamu | Wikidata |
| pt | Guiné - petiveria tetrandra | Wikidata |
| ht | Ave | Wikidata |
| zh | 蒜香草 | Wikidata |
| es | anamú | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several regions across the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in nations such as Benin and Nigeria. Its distribution extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically covering the Gulf of Guinea Islands and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, the species can be found as far south as the KwaZulu-Natal province. Collectively, these locations highlight the widespread nature of the plant throughout various tropical and subtropical zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Anamu, utilizes various morphological structures for its medicinal properties. The stems are characterized by their woody nature and serve as the structural support for the entire organism. Below the surface, the roots provide stability and are often studied for their specific bioactive compounds. Most notably, the leaves are the most prominent feature, appearing as long, lanceolate structures that emit a distinct garlic-like odor when crushed. These leaves are frequently the primary part harvested in traditional practices due to their high concentration of essential oils and phytochemicals.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Petiveria alliacea has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 42 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include isoarborinol, petivericin, (Z)-phenylmethanethial S-oxide, Al, Br.
- Total chemicals
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 42
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| isoarborinol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| petivericin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-phenylmethanethial S-oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Al | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Br | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cl | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Co | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Petiveria alliacea has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Petiveria alliacea has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Entamoeba histolytica, SARS-CoV-2 infections, antidepressant, antispasmodic.
- Total uses
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |