Premna schimperi

Premna schimperi, commonly known as a valuable medicinal shrub in East Africa, holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Often utilized in traditional healing practices, this plant is prized for its diverse therapeutic properties. It serves as a natural remedy for various ailments, offering promising insights for contemporary pharmacological research and development.

  • Scientific name: Premna schimperi
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is situated in the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Premna.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Premna WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Premna schimperi, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is referred to as Schimper's Premna, while in Amharic, it is commonly called ඇඳ (ändä).
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Burundi and Rwanda. Its presence also extends into the vast territories of the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the same central region. Moving toward Northeast Tropical Africa, the species is documented growing in the highlands of Ethiopia. Finally, its range reaches the Horn of Africa, where it is also located in Somalia.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Burundi WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Rwanda WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Ethiopia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Somalia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
East Tropical Africa Uganda WCVP
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Premna schimperi, is utilized in traditional medicine primarily through its leaves and other dried plant parts. The leaves are often harvested and processed to extract their therapeutic properties, while the use of various dried plant parts allows for easier storage and standardized preparation in herbal remedies. Together, these components serve as the essential material for crafting infusions or decoctions used to treat various ailments.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried plant parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Premna schimperi has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include n-hexane.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
n-hexane 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Premna schimperi has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Premna schimperi has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Staphylococcus aureus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Candida albicans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterococcus faecalis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cutaneous leishmaniasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆