Senna auriculata
Ranawara
Sennia auriculata, commonly known as Senna auriculata or Avaram, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in Ayurveda, it possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Frequently used to treat urinary tract infections, skin ailments, and diabetes, this plant offers significant therapeutic benefits in traditional medicine.
- Scientific name: Senna auriculata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
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 and is specifically identified by the genus Senna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Senna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Senna auriculata, is recognized by various regional names depending on the language and location. In Chinese, it is referred to as 耳叶决明 (zh-hans), 耳葉決明 (zh-hant), and 耳葉決明 (zh-hk). In the southern regions of India, it is commonly called ആവര (ml) in Malayalam and తంగేడు (te) in Telugu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 耳叶决明 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 耳葉決明 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 耳葉決明 | Wikidata |
| ml | ആവര | Wikidata |
| te | తంగేడు | Wikidata |
| ta | ஆவாரை | Wikidata |
| gu | આવળ (વનસ્પતિ) | Wikidata |
| zh | 耳叶决明 | Wikidata |
| si | රණවරා | Wikidata |
| ja | ミミセンナ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its range extends through the countries of Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Moving eastward, the species is also found within West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, its distribution reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, encompassing both Sudan and South Sudan. Together, these locations highlight the wide ecological spread of Sennas auriculata across various tropical zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Maldives | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Senna auriculata, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The large, green leaves are a primary source of medicinal value, often processed into leaf extracts to treat skin conditions and digestive issues. The vibrant yellow flowers are also highly significant, as the dried flower is frequently used in traditional remedies to manage diabetes and inflammation. Whether using the whole leaf or specific preparations, each part contributes to the plant's holistic healing potential.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 17
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Senna auriculata has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthraquinone, epicatechin, ferulic acid, flavonoids, linoleic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthraquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linoleic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| palmitic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidin B1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin-3-O-rutinoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Senna auriculata has 18 reported activities identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiperoxidative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Senna auriculata has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, dysentery, rheumatism, skin disease.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skin disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |