Protium heptaphyllum
Protium heptaphyllum, commonly known as Breu Branco, is a remarkable medicinal plant native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its aromatic resin, it possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Traditionally used to treat skin ailments and respiratory issues, this botanical treasure offers significant potential for modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Protium heptaphyllum
- Family: Burseraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Protium heptaphyllum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraceae and falls under the genus Protium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Burseraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Protium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Protium heptaphyllum, is associated with several different common names depending on the regional context and botanical classification. In Spanish, it is referred to by various names including Icica heptaphylla, Protium aromaticum, Protium insigne, Protium microphyllum, and Protium tacamahaca.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| es | Icica heptaphylla | Wikidata |
| es | Protium aromaticum | Wikidata |
| es | Protium insigne | Wikidata |
| es | Protium microphyllum | Wikidata |
| es | Protium tacamahaca | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Protium heptaphyllum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several tropical regions. It can be found throughout various parts of Northern South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, the species extends its range into French Guiana. Beyond the mainland, its presence is also recorded within the Caribbean, specifically in Trinidad and Tobago. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| 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 |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Protium heptaphyllum, is highly valued for its various botanical components, particularly the substances extracted from its structure. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the aromatic resin, which is harvested directly from the tree. This substance can be obtained as a pure resin or as a byproduct of processing the trunk wood resin. Furthermore, the trunk wood itself serves as the primary source for these valuable exudates, making the entire woody structure essential for the collection of its therapeutic oils and scents.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| resin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| trunk wood resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trunk wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aromatic resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Protium heptaphyllum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpha-terpineol, Pectinase, alpha-terpinolene, cellulase, dillapiol.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-terpineol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pectinase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-terpinolene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cellulase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dillapiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleoresin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-cimen-8-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-cymene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Protium heptaphyllum has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antihypertensive, Cytostatic, Gastroprotective.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vasorelaxant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Protium heptaphyllum has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular diseases, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pleurisy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pruritus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skin diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor cell lines | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |