Protium
Protium, commonly known as Breu or Copal, is a medicinal tree native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its aromatic resin, it possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and healing properties. Traditionally used to treat skin ailments and respiratory issues, this botanical treasure offers significant potential for modern therapeutic applications.
- Scientific name: Protium
- Family: Burseraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Sapindales and the family Burseraceae. Ultimately, it is identified by 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, belonging to the genus Protium, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 马蹄果属 (including the variants zh-hans, zh-cn, and zh), while in Thailand, it is known by the name สกุลมะแฟน. Additionally, in Spanish-speaking contexts, it is commonly called Icica.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 马蹄果属 | Wikidata |
| th | สกุลมะแฟน | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 马蹄果属 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 马蹄果属 | Wikidata |
| es | Icica | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents and regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Madagascar. Its range extends to the Indian Subcontinent, where it is specifically located in Assam and Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is present in the South-Central regions of China. These various locations highlight the wide ecological reach of the Protium genus.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Protium, is highly valued for its therapeutic properties which are concentrated in several distinct anatomical components. The most significant part is the resin, a viscous substance that flows from the bark when the trunk is wounded. This resin is primarily composed of various oleoresins, which contain the complex aromatic compounds and bioactive molecules responsible for its medicinal efficacy. Additionally, the leaves of the plant are often utilized in traditional practices, contributing to the overall pharmacological profile of the species.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oleoresins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Protium has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include brein, maniladiol.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| brein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| maniladiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |