Terminalia
Terminalia tree
Terminalia, commonly known as various species like Arjuna or Chebulic Myrobalan, refers to a diverse genus of medicinal trees. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, these plants offer profound therapeutic benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. They are essential in treating cardiovascular issues, digestive ailments, and promoting overall holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Terminalia
- Family: Combretaceae
- 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 Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identification is completed at the genus level as Terminalia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Terminalia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, belonging to the genus Terminalia, is recognized by various names across different languages and regions. In Esperanto, it is known as Terminalio, while in Russian, it is referred to as Терминалия. In Catalan, the name used is Terminàlia, whereas in German, it is commonly called Myrobalanen. Finally, in Vietnamese, the plant is known as Chi Chiêu liêu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| eo | Terminalio | Wikidata |
| ru | Терминалия | Wikidata |
| ca | Terminàlia | Wikidata |
| de | Myrobalanen | Wikidata |
| vi | Chi Chiêu liêu | Wikidata |
| te | టెర్మినేలియా | Wikidata |
| lt | Viršūklis | Wikidata |
| ar | هليلج | Wikidata |
| fa | گارومزنگی | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 榄仁属 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across different regions of Africa and its surrounding islands. In the Macaronesian region, it can be found specifically within Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is widely distributed throughout West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in several nations, including Benin and Burkina. Additionally, the species extends its reach to include the countries of Gambia and Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Terminalia, utilizes various components for its diverse medicinal applications. The therapeutic properties are found throughout its structure, ranging from the deeply embedded root to the expansive canopy of its leaf surface. Beyond the foliage, the plant produces a distinct fruit that houses the seed, both of which are often studied for their bioactive compounds. Interestingly, even the abnormal growths known as galls found on the plant can sometimes be analyzed for their unique chemical constituents in traditional medicinal practices.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Terminalia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Eschweilenol C, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Eschweilenol C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Terminalia has 19 reported activities identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimalarial, Antifungal, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 33
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Terminalia has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, fever, headache.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| conjunctivitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart disorder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leprosy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| memory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pneumonia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sexually transmitted diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |