Smilax longifolia
Smilax longifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (319 studies) · ★★★★★
Scientifically known as Smilax longifolia, is a perennial climbing shrub native to tropical regions. Often valued in traditional medicine, this plant features woody stems and distinctive foliage. It is primarily recognized for its bioactive compounds, which are studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in holistic wellness practices.
- Family
- Not available
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Rhizome
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Smilax longifoliaDistribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across the Caribbean and northern parts of the South American continent. Within the Caribbean region, its presence is documented in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Moving toward the mainland, the species can be found in several territories of northern South America. Specifically, it inhabits the regions of French Guiana and Suriname. Finally, its range extends further into the country of Venezuela.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Haiti | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Smilax longifolia, is a climbing woody vine that utilizes various structures for survival and medicinal application, most notably its underground rhizo-mes. These thickened, horizontal stems serve as a vital storage organ, allowing the plant to persist through unfavorable seasons and spread through the soil. In traditional herbal practices, these rhizo-mes are often the primary part harvested, as they contain a concentrated density of the bioactive compounds required for therapeutic use.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Smilax longifolia has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Ash, CALCIUM, CHROMIUM, COBALT.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ALUMINUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ash | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHROMIUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COBALT | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IRON | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MAGNESIUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MANGANESE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PHOSPHORUS | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
ALUMINUM
- Dr. Duke
Ash
- Dr. Duke
CALCIUM
- Dr. Duke
CHROMIUM
- Dr. Duke
COBALT
- Dr. Duke
FAT
- Dr. Duke
IRON
- Dr. Duke
MAGNESIUM
- Dr. Duke
MANGANESE
- Dr. Duke
PHOSPHORUS
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Smilax longifolia has 295 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AP-1-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Absorbent | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amphiglycemic? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |