Pueraria montana var. thomsonii
Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, commonly known as Bengal Kudzu, is a versatile climbing legume celebrated in traditional medicine. Rich in isoflavones and bioactive compounds, this plant is widely utilized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and sedative properties, offering significant therapeutic potential for managing various neurological and metabolic health conditions.
- Scientific name: Pueraria montana var. thomsonii
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Pueraria as the variety thomsonii.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pueraria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, is widely recognized through various traditional names across different linguistic contexts. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to by the names 粉葛, 葛蔓, and 葛花, which reflect its different parts and uses in traditional practices. These names are also represented in simplified Chinese as 粉葛 and 粉葛 (zh-hans and zh-cn), highlighting its significant role in regional herbal medicine.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 粉葛 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 粉葛 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 粉葛 | Wikidata |
| zh | 葛蔓 | Wikidata |
| zh | 葛花 | Wikidata |
| zh | 葛粉 | Wikidata |
| zh | 甘葛藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 葛根 | Wikidata |
| zh | 大葛藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 葛叶 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in East Asia. Within China, its distribution is quite extensive, spanning from the South-Central provinces to the southeastern territories. It can also be found in the tropical landscapes of Hainan and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Beyond mainland China, the species extends its reach to the Nansei-shoto islands in Eastern Asia. Together, these locations highlight the varied ecological niches occupied by this medicinal variety.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pueraria montana var. thomsonii, is a climbing legume that utilizes various morphological structures for its biological functions and medicinal properties. The roots of the plant, particularly the tuberous root system, are frequently utilized in traditional medicine due to their specific bioactive compounds. The climbing habit is supported by its long, twining stems, which allow the plant to ascend through surrounding vegetation. Its foliage consists of compound leaves that are essential for photosynthesis, while the delicate flowers serve as the reproductive organs, often displaying characteristic colors that attract pollinators.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Puerariae Radix | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pueraria montana var. thomsonii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, isoflavones, melatonin (MLT).
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Auxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscisic acid (ABA) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| auxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoflavones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melatonin (MLT) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| puerarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pueraria montana var. thomsonii has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antipyretic, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |