Warburgia salutaris

Warburgia salutaris, commonly known as the Pepper-bark tree, is a precious medicinal plant native to Southern and Eastern Africa. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, its bark is traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, infections, and digestive issues, making it a cornerstone of African herbal medicine.

  • Scientific name: Warburgia salutaris
  • Family: Canellaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Canellales, and the family Canellaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Warburgia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Canellales WCVP
Family Canellaceae WCVP
Genus Warburgia WCVP

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its range extends through the country of Mozambique. It is also distributed throughout Zimbabwe, which falls under the South Tropical Africa classification. Moving into Southern Africa, the species can be located in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Finally, it is documented within the Northern Provinces of Southern Africa.

Region Area Source
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP
Southern Africa Northern Provinces WCVP

Chemicals

Warburgia salutaris has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include IL-6, catechin, cis megastigma-5,8-diene-4-one, guanosine, interleukin-1beta.

Total chemicals
14
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
IL-6 1 ★☆☆☆☆
catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cis megastigma-5,8-diene-4-one 1 ★☆☆☆☆
guanosine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
interleukin-1beta 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mukaadial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
muzigadial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pereniporin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sesquiterpenoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sorbitol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Warburgia salutaris has 10 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Total activities
10
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimalarial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacteriostatic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Expectorant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Warburgia salutaris has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation, Diabetes mellitus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, Plasmodium falciparum.

Total uses
20
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anaplasmosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coughs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lipid peroxidation 1 ★☆☆☆☆