Semecarpus anacardium
Anacardium semecarpus
Semecarpus anacardium, commonly known as the marking nut, is a medicinal plant native to South Asia. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is extensively used in Ayurveda to treat skin diseases, inflammation, and neurological disorders. Its unique properties make it a vital component in traditional healing practices.
- Scientific name: Semecarpus anacardium
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Semecarpus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Semecarpus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Semecarpus anacardium, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In German, it is referred to as the Markfruchtbaum, while in Persian, it is known as بلاذر. Its linguistic presence extends to the Indian subcontinent, where it is called भिलावाँ in Hindi, അലക്കുചേര് in Malayalam, and बिब्बा in Marathi.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Markfruchtbaum | Wikidata |
| fa | بلاذر | Wikidata |
| hi | भिलावाँ | Wikidata |
| ml | അലക്കുചേര് | Wikidata |
| mr | बिब्बा | Wikidata |
| my | ချေးသီးပင် | Wikidata |
| te | నల్ల జీడి | Wikidata |
| ne | भलायो | Wikidata |
| as | ভোলা গছ | Wikidata |
| ar | بلاذر شرقي | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across various regions within the Indian Subcontinent. Its presence is documented extensively throughout the country of India. Furthermore, it can be found growing in the specific landscape of Assam. The species also extends its range into neighboring nations such as Bangladesh and Nepal. Finally, its geographical reach includes the unique mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the cashew, possesses several components utilized in various medicinal and culinary applications. The most recognizable parts are the cashew nuts, which are harvested from the accessory fruit, though the true botanical nut is found within the fleshy cashew apple. Beyond the fruit, the stem bark is often employed in traditional medicine for its astringent properties. The seeds contained within the shell are highly potent, and various leaf extracts are frequently studied for their bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic benefits.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| nuts | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| nut | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Semecarpus anacardium has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Urushiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aflatoxin B(1) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aflatoxin M(1) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anacardic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anacardoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Semecarpus anacardium has 11 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic, Antiatherogenic, Anticancer, Anticoagulant.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiatherogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticoagulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihelminthic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CNS-Stimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Semecarpus anacardium has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, arthritis, obesity, Dental caries, Diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blisters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |