Salacia
Salacia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Scientifically known as Salaacia, is a genus of climbing shrubs native to the tropical forests of India and Sri Lanka. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, these plants are highly valued for their therapeutic properties, particularly in managing blood sugar levels, supporting joint health, and promoting overall metabolic wellness.
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Root · Stem
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Calypso · Annulodiscus · 10 more
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
SalaciaSynonyms
- Calypso
- Annulodiscus
- Salacicratea
- Courondi
- Diplesthes
- Raddia
- Raddisia
- Curondia
- Thermophila
- Tontelea
- Amphizoma
- Clercia
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is categorized under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Salacia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Celastrales |
| Family | Celastraceae |
| Genus | Salacia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution centered within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the nation of Benin. The species also extends its range into Burkina Faso. Furthermore, its presence is documented in the Gambia and throughout Ghana. Finally, the plant's habitat includes the coastal territory of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Plant Parts
Salacia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Root | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stem | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Root
- Biochemistry and biophysics reports
- Polish journal of microbiology
Stem
- Biochemistry and biophysics reports
- Polish journal of microbiology
Activities
Salacia has 1 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antidiabetic
- Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
Medicinal Uses
Salacia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dyslipidemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| dyslipidemia | Life sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | Life sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | Life sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Extracts from both aboveground (stems and trunks) and belowground (roots) parts | Biochemistry and biophysics reports (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salacia extract | Journal of biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbal extracts | Polish journal of microbiology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |