African serpentwood

Names

Common Names

• African serpentwood
• African snakeroot
• poison devil-pepper
• swizzle-stick-tree
• poison devil's-pepper

Regional and Traditional Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rauvolfia senegambiae
• Rauvolfia pleiosiadica
• Rauvolfia stuhlmannii
• Rauvolfia congolana

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rauvolfia.

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this specific zone, its presence is documented in the nation of Benin. It is also found inhabiting the landscapes of Burkina. Furthermore, the species can be located throughout Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends into the country of Guinea.

Plant Parts

Chemicals

Rauvolfia vomitoria has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ajmalicine, Flavonoids, Yohimbine, ajmaline, reserpine.

Ajmalicine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Yohimbine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

ajmaline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

reserpine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

ALSTONINE

1. Dr. Duke

Anthocyanins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aricine

1. Dr. Duke

Carapanaubine

1. Dr. Duke

ISOAJMALINE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Rauvolfia vomitoria has 100 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, Abortifacient.

Most Reported Activities

Medicinal Uses

Rauvolfia vomitoria has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, malaria, psychosis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations