Vigna mungo
Black gram
Vigna mungo, commonly known as black gram or urad dal, is a versatile medicinal plant prized in Ayurvedic medicine. Rich in proteins, minerals, and antioxidants, it serves as a potent nutritional powerhouse. It is traditionally utilized to support digestion, boost energy levels, and promote overall skin and hair health.
- Scientific name: Vigna mungo
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Vigna mungo, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific classification is placed within the genus Vigna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vigna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Vigna mungo, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In German, it is referred to as Urdbohne, while in Dhivehi, it is called ކަޅު މުގު. The French name for this species is Haricot urd, and in Hindi, it is widely known as उड़द दाल. Additionally, in Japanese, it is called ケツルアズキ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Urdbohne | Wikidata |
| dv | ކަޅު މުގު | Wikidata |
| fr | Haricot urd | Wikidata |
| hi | उड़द दाल | Wikidata |
| ja | ケツルアズキ | Wikidata |
| ml | ഉഴുന്ന് | Wikidata |
| mr | उडीद | Wikidata |
| ne | मास | Wikidata |
| pl | Fasola mungo | Wikidata |
| pt | Feijão-da-índia | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Vigna mungo, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it is found within the borders of the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Its presence also extends to the territories of Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, the species is located in East Tropical Africa. Specifically, its geographical range in this eastern region includes Tanzania.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as black gram, utilizes different portions of its anatomy for various medicinal and nutritional purposes. While the entire plant possesses various properties, the most significant components used in traditional medicine and dietary practices are the seeds. Specifically, the whole seed is highly valued for its dense concentration of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, serving as a vital source of nutrition that supports overall health and digestive wellness.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vigna mungo has 39 reported phytochemicals identified across 40 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lysine, ATP, L-ascorbic acid, MCP, NADPH.
- Total chemicals
- 39
- Scientific sources
- 40
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lysine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATP | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MCP | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NADPH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PPi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| TIA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-amylase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aspartic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vigna mungo has 16 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antiatherogenic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiatherogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Vigna mungo has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastritis, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |