Pulicaria undulata
Pulicaria undulata, commonly known as the wavy tansy, is a resilient perennial herb native to various regions of Africa and Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, this plant possesses significant therapeutic properties, often utilized for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects to treat diverse ailments and promote overall holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Pulicaria undulata
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is a member of the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Pulicaria, with its species designation being undulata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pulicaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pulicaria undulata, is recognized by several local names in the Arabic-speaking world. In certain regions, it is commonly referred to as خاع, while in other areas, it is known by the name نشوش.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | خاع | Wikidata |
| ar | نشوش | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Northern Africa. Within this region, its presence is noted in the diverse terrains of Algeria. It can also be found growing throughout the territories of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the northern reaches of Morocco. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the country of Tunisia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pulicaria undulata, is valued for its specific therapeutic components, particularly its flowering parts and its essential oil. The flowering parts of the plant serve as the primary site for its bioactive compounds, containing the concentrated chemical constituents necessary for its medicinal properties. When these parts are processed, they yield a potent essential oil that carries the characteristic aroma and pharmacological strength of the species, making it a key element in various traditional and aromatic applications.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowering parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pulicaria undulata has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include triterpenes, (E)-9-octadecenoic acid, 6-epi-shyobunol, URS-20(30)-en-3-ol, apigenin.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| triterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-9-octadecenoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-epi-shyobunol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| URS-20(30)-en-3-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camphor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cis-vaccenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| copper | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pulicaria undulata has 7 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insect-Repellent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pulicaria undulata has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria, HSV-1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Enterococcus faecalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella typhimurium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus saprophyticus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus salivarius | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insect repellent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |