Pfaffia glomerata
Pfaffia glomerata, commonly known as Sinapá or Brazilian Ginseng, is a powerful adaptogenic herb native to South America. Renowned for its revitalizing properties, it helps balance hormones, reduces fatigue, and boosts the immune system. This medicinal plant is highly valued in traditional herbalism for enhancing overall vitality and wellness.
- Scientific name: Pfaffia glomerata
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, falling under the family Amaranthaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Pfaffia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pfaffia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pfaffia glomerata, is recognized by various regional and common names depending on the language and local context. In Portuguese, it is frequently referred to as Ginseng-brasileiro, while in Persian, it is documented as پفافیا گلومراتا. Interestingly, in Spanish, the plant is associated with several different names, including Alternanthera glauca, Gomphrena dunaliana, and Gomphrena glauca.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Ginseng-brasileiro | Wikidata |
| fa | پفافیا گلومراتا | Wikidata |
| es | Alternanthera glauca | Wikidata |
| es | Gomphrena dunaliana | Wikidata |
| es | Gomphrena glauca | Wikidata |
| es | Gomphrena luzulaeflora | Wikidata |
| es | Gomphrena stenophylla | Wikidata |
| es | Iresine glomerata | Wikidata |
| es | Iresine luzuliflora | Wikidata |
| es | Mogiphanes dunaliana | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Northern South America. Specifically, it can be found growing within the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Its presence extends further into the region through the country of Venezuela. Additionally, the species reaches into Western South America, where it is documented in Bolivia. This broad range highlights the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments across the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Pfaffia glomerata, utilizes various anatomical structures for its medicinal properties, most notably its roots and leaves. The roots are highly valued in traditional medicine and are often used to prepare decoctions due to their rich concentration of bioactive compounds. Additionally, the leaves serve as significant components of the plant, contributing to its overall therapeutic profile and being utilized in various herbal preparations.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pfaffia glomerata has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 47 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 20E, starch, sucrose, 20-hydroxyecdysone, lead.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 47
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 20E | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| starch | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| sucrose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 20-hydroxyecdysone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lead | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| superoxide dismutase | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20-E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pfaffia glomerata has 9 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Adaptogen, Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptogen | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Prebiotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pfaffia glomerata has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, analgesic, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aphrodisiacs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chromosomal aberrations | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cutaneous leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |