Sonchus oleraceus
Sow thistle
Sonchus oleraceus, commonly known as common sow thistle, is a versatile herbaceous plant valued in traditional medicine. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it is widely utilized for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and digestive properties. This resilient perennial offers significant therapeutic potential for supporting overall health and detoxification.
- Scientific name: Sonchus oleraceus
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and the genus Sonchus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sonchus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Sonchus oleraceus, is known by various names across different linguistic regions, although its nomenclature remains consistent in several Chinese dialects. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn) and Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), it is referred to as 苦苣菜. This same common name, 苦苣菜, is also utilized in Hong Kong (zh-hk) and Singapore (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 苦苣菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 苦苣菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 苦苣菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 苦苣菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 苦苣菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 苦滇菜 | Wikidata |
| pl | Mlecz zwyczajny | Wikidata |
| udm | Йӧны | Wikidata |
| qu | Salsa-salsa | Wikidata |
| ko | 방가지똥 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Sonchus oleraceus, exhibits a specific distribution across the regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations highlight the plant's establishment in several key Northern European nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Sonchus oleraceus, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Often, the whole plants are harvested to ensure all active compounds are captured, although specific treatments may focus on the whole plant in its entirety. The roots are frequently employed in traditional remedies due to their concentrated properties, while the tender leaves are commonly consumed or applied topically. Even a single, healthy leaf can contain significant bioactive constituents, making every part of this species valuable in herbal medicine.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Sonchus oleraceus has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, Cu, Na, antioxidants, caffeic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorophylls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cis-cadina-1,4-diene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulaic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Sonchus oleraceus has 9 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antisecretory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcerogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Sonchus oleraceus has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include infections, inflammation, oxidative stress, Diabetes mellitus, anxiety.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cutaneous leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |