Swertia cordata
Swertia cordata, commonly known as Swertia, is a perennial herb cherished in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Native to the Himalayan regions, this plant is renowned for its potent bitter principles. It serves as a powerful digestive tonic, offering therapeutic benefits for liver health, metabolic regulation, and managing various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Swertia cordata
- Family: Gentianaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Swertia cordata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Gentianaceae within the genus Swertia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Gentianaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Swertia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Swertia cordata, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is identified as 心叶獐牙菜, a name that is also used in its simplified form (zh-hans) and its specific regional designation for mainland China (zh-cn). Additionally, in Persian, the plant is known as کورداتا.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 心叶獐牙菜 | Wikidata |
| fa | کورداتا | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 心叶獐牙菜 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 心叶獐牙菜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. In Western Asia, its presence is noted within the borders of Afghanistan. Within China, it is specifically found throughout the south-central territories. The Indian subcontinent hosts various populations, including those located in Assam and the East Himalaya. Finally, the species is also distributed across the mountainous landscapes of Nepal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Swertia cordata, is a medicinal herb where both the root and the leaf serve significant therapeutic purposes. The root is often harvested and utilized in traditional medicine for its potent bioactive compounds, which are frequently used to treat digestive ailments and inflammatory conditions. Similarly, the leaf is employed in various herbal preparations, contributing to the plant's overall medicinal profile through its unique phytochemical constituents.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Swertia cordata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Swertia cordata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |