Ximenia americana
Ximenia americana, commonly known as the West Indian Ximeni, is a versatile tropical shrub valued in traditional medicine. Native to coastal regions, it is frequently utilized for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Various plant parts are prepared to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and respiratory conditions across diverse cultures.
- Scientific name: Ximenia americana
- Family: Olacaceae
- 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 Santalales, it is classified under the family Olacaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Ximenia and the species Ximenia americana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Santalales | WCVP |
| Family | Olacaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ximenia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution that spans across both Atlantic islands and the African mainland. Within the Macaronesia region, its presence is noted in Cape Verde. Moving to West Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Benin and Burkina. Its range further extends through the coastal and inland territories of the Gambia. Finally, the distribution includes the country of Ghana, completing its documented presence in these areas.
| 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 |
Chemicals
Ximenia americana has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arabinose, caffeic acid, fucose, galactose, galacturonic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arabinose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galactose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galacturonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhamnose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ximenia americana has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ximenia americana has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Edema, amenorrhea, bacterial infections, eye infections, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eye infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pleurisy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schistosomiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |