Teucrium chamaedrys

Wall germander

Teucrium chamaedrys, commonly known as germander, is a perennial herb native to Europe. Long valued in traditional herbalism, it possesses astringent and antimicrobial properties. Historically used to support digestive health and treat respiratory ailments, this resilient plant remains a fascinating subject for both botanical enthusiasts and modern medicinal researchers.

  • Scientific name: Teucrium chamaedrys
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • 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 Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Teucrium.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Teucrium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Teucrium chamaedrys, is referred to by various regional names across different languages. In Poland, it is called ożańka właściwa, while in Slovakia, it is known as hrdobarka obyčajná. In Russian, the species is identified as дубровиник обыкновенный. Within Kurdish linguistic traditions, the plant is called قەسەلمەهموود in the Arabic script and Qeselmehmûd in the Latin script.
Language Common Name Source
pl ożanka właściwa Wikidata
ku-arab قەسەلمەهموود Wikidata
ku-latn Qeselmehmûd Wikidata
sk hrdobarka obyčajná Wikidata
ru дубровник обыкновенный Wikidata
sr-el Podubica Wikidata
sr-ec Подубица Wikidata
tr Dalak otu Wikidata
ca alzineta Wikidata
uk Самосил гайовий Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its habitat includes both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of Austria. It also maintains a distribution that extends into Belgium. Finally, its range continues through the central territories of Czechia and Slovakia.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP
Middle Europe Netherlands WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP
Middle Europe Switzerland WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as germander, is a versatile medicinal herb where various parts are utilized for their therapeutic properties. While the leaves and flowering tops are the primary components used in herbal preparations, they are frequently processed into infusions to extract their beneficial compounds. These infusions are created by steeping the plant material in hot water, allowing the active constituents to dissolve, which provides a gentle method for consuming the herb to support digestive and respiratory health.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
infusions 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Teucrium chamaedrys has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 45 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include teucrin A, teucrioside, verbascoside, luteolin, 3,3'-di-O-methyl ellagic acid.

Total chemicals
37
Scientific sources
45

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
teucrin A 4 ★★☆☆☆
teucrioside 3 ★★☆☆☆
verbascoside 3 ★★☆☆☆
luteolin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
3,3'-di-O-methyl ellagic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Monoterpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Quercetin glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Rosmarinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
caffeic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Teucrium chamaedrys has 4 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatotoxic, Antioxidant, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Hepatotoxic 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Teucrium chamaedrys has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hepatitis, colorectal cancer, colorectal carcinoma, drug resistance, inflammation.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
hepatitis 3 ★★☆☆☆
colorectal cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colorectal carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
drug resistance 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
jaundice 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver cirrhosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
weight loss 1 ★☆☆☆☆