Home > Herbs > Rauvolfia Afra

R. afra

Rauvolfia afra · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

R. afra, scientifically known as Rauvolfia afra, is a perennial shrub native to sub-Saharan Africa. Widely utilized in traditional African medicine, its leaves and roots possess significant therapeutic properties. It is primarily valued for treating hypertension, anxiety, and digestive ailments, offering a rich source of bioactive alkaloids.

Family
Apocynaceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Not available
Common names
African-Quinine · Kinaboom · 2 more
Scientific synonyms
Rauvolfia Afra Var. Natalensis · Rauvolfia Goetzei · 9 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Rauvolfia afra

Synonyms

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Rauvolfia.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Gentianales
Family Apocynaceae
Genus Rauvolfia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across various regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the countries of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be located within the borders of the Central African Republic. Additionally, its range encompasses the territory of Cameroon.

Region Area
West Tropical Africa Benin
West Tropical Africa Nigeria
West Tropical Africa Togo
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon
West-Central Tropical Africa Congo
West-Central Tropical Africa Equatorial Guinea
West-Central Tropical Africa Gabon
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is.
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Rauvolfia afra has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Hydroxynoracronycine, RAUNESCINE, Sandwicine.

Chemicals reported in Rauvolfia afra
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
7-Hydroxynoracronycine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
RAUNESCINE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Sandwicine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

7-Hydroxynoracronycine

  1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

RAUNESCINE

  1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Sandwicine

  1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Preparations

Rauvolfia afra has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include PP, pectics polysaccharides.

Preparations reported for Rauvolfia afra
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Pp 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Pectics polysaccharides 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Pp

  1. Annals of translational medicine

Pectics polysaccharides

  1. Annals of translational medicine