Senegalia catechu
Acacia catechu
Senegalia catechu, commonly known as Catechu, is a significant medicinal plant widely utilized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Extracted from the heartwood, it possesses potent astringent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is frequently employed to treat gastrointestinal issues, skin inflammations, and oral ailments, serving as a vital natural therapeutic agent.
- Scientific name: Senegalia catechu
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Senegalia, and its species name, catechu.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Senegalia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Senegalia catechu, is referred to by various common names across different languages, including Acacia catechu in Vietnamese (vi), Acacia catechu in German (de), Acacia catechu in Spanish (es), Acacia catechu in Italian (it), and Acacia catechu in French (fr).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vi | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| de | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| es | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| it | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| fr | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| bg | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| ru | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| nl | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| la | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
| uk | Acacia catechu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across specific regions within Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is notably present in Assam. It also inhabits the landscapes of Bangladesh. Finally, its range extends into the mountainous regions of the East Himalaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Senegalia catechu (commonly known as Khair), is a versatile medicinal resource where various components offer distinct therapeutic benefits. The heartwoods are highly valued for their astringent properties and are frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The dense wood itself is known for its durability and strength, often used in medicinal preparations, while the pith located within the stem can also be processed for specific applications. Additionally, the resin extracted from the tree is a significant component used in topical and oral treatments, and in some holistic practices, the whole plant is utilized to harness the full spectrum of its bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| heartwoods | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pith | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartwood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Heartwood extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Senegalia catechu has 16 reported activities identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antinociceptive, Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiapoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Senegalia catechu has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, fever, heartburn, hypertension.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartburn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |