Echinophora tenuifolia

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644018e78d882519358622
Scientific name Echinophora tenuifolia
Authority L.
First published in Sp. Pl. : 239 (1753)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Among Iranian herbalists the dried aerial parts of Echinophora tenuifolia are prepared as a hot infusion to ease indigestion and flatulence; the same decoction is used as a carminative and to “warm the stomach” (Djavadi and Yassa, 2019; Mozaffarian, 2012). In Central Anatolia people collect the herb in spring, dry it, and make a mild daily tea to aid digestion and settle the stomach, reporting the brew as aromatic and slightly bitter (Kose et al., 2011). In western Syria and Lebanon a bitter leaf tea is taken as an after‑meal tonic and to support upper respiratory comfort; a cooled decoction of the leafy stems is also splashed on insect bites and superficial scrapes (Gali-Muhtasib, 2000; Chevallier, 1996).

A practical preparation: place 1–2 g of air‑dried aerial parts in a cup (≈200–250 mL) of near‑boiling water, cover and steep 10–12 minutes, then strain. Drink 1 cup after meals as needed. This “mild tea” is the form most commonly reported in modern Iranian and Turkish folk practice (Djavadi and Yassa, 2019; Kose et al., 2011). Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding; stop if heartburn or nausea occurs. Do not use in persons taking coumarin‑type anticoagulants without medical advice.

The flavor and activity of the tea are associated with a phenylpropanoid‑rich essential oil and coumarin profile, including α‑pinene, β‑pinene, limonene, p‑cymene, myristicin, p‑hydroxybenzaldehyde, and coumarins such as scopoletin and osthole, all reported in Echinophora tenuifolia and consistent with carminative and antispasmodic effects (Gali‑Muhtasib, 2000; Kose et al., 2011; Djavadi and Yassa, 2019).

Products based on the herb are currently sold in Iran and Turkey as simple dried herb for tea; the species also appears in commercial herbal blends, and studies continue to examine its essential‑oil chemistry and potential antispasmodic actions (Kose et al., 2011; Djavadi and Yassa, 2019).

General Uses Top

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Common products:
- Fresh or cooked vegetable from young leaves and shoots; seeds as a condiment/spice; essential oil as a flavor and fragrance ingredient.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Young leaves and aerial shoots are eaten raw or cooked in local cuisines (e.g., Iran). Seeds are used as a spice and for flavoring dishes; seed oil is used as an edible oil. Typical culinary preparations include mixing the vegetable with rice or yogurt-based sauces and using the spice whole or ground. No flavor/aesthetic claims are made.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Hydrodistilled essential oil is used in perfumery and flavoring compositions; the herb yields aromatic components consistent with its use as a fragrance material. Reported major components include alpha-pinene, sabinene, and myristicin. Products are typically designated by GC analysis and may include 1H NMR fingerprinting to confirm composition.

Colorants and tanning:
- No documented uses for dyes or tannins.

Wood and fiber:
- No documented timber or fiber uses.

Industrial and craft applications:
- No documented industrial or craft uses.

Properties relevant to use:
- The edible seed oil is a fatty oil; the essential oil is rich in monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids (alpha-pinene, sabinene, myristicin) that provide its characteristic aroma.

Standards and regulation:
- Essential oils and flavoring materials may be regulated as food flavorings in some jurisdictions (e.g., EU regulation on food flavorings); no specific standards identified for this species.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Wild-harvested for local markets; details on cultivation or conservation status are not established in the cited sources.

Synonyms Top

No known synonyms.

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Arabic زوفرى قونيلي
Azerbaijani nazikyarpaq tikanburun
grc πάνακες Ἀσκληπίειον

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000661899
Tropicos 1702629
INPN 968098
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:841516-1
The Plant List kew-2783223
Open Tree Of Life 122477
Observations.org 147372
NCBI Taxonomy 99501
IPNI 841516-1
iNaturalist 485617
GBIF 5538701

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana—Study of the Histochemical Localization of Essential Oil Ivanova S, Dyankov S, Karcheva-Bahchevanska D, Todorova V, Georgieva Y, Benbassat N, Ivanov K Molecules 24-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10096146
doi:10.3390/molecules28072918
PMID:37049678
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity against Phytopathogenic Fungi of Essential Oils Obtained from Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana Grown in Wild and Cultivated Conditions in Turkey Sanli A, Ok FZ Molecules 06-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9864490
doi:10.3390/molecules28020585
PMID:36677643
Edible Flowers Used in Some Countries of the Mediterranean Basin: An Ethnobotanical Overview Motti R, Paura B, Cozzolino A, de Falco B Plants (Basel) 28-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9736219
doi:10.3390/plants11233272
PMID:36501312
From Biodiversity to Musketry: Detection of Plant Diversity in Pre-Industrial Peloponnese during the Flora Graeca Expedition Chimona C, Papadopoulou S, Kolyva F, Mina M, Rhizopoulou S Life (Basel) 23-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9785030
doi:10.3390/life12121957
PMID:36556322
Alpha-Phellandrene and Alpha-Phellandrene-Rich Essential Oils: A Systematic Review of Biological Activities, Pharmaceutical and Food Applications Radice M, Durofil A, Buzzi R, Baldini E, Martínez AP, Scalvenzi L, Manfredini S Life (Basel) 14-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9605662
doi:10.3390/life12101602
PMID:36295037
Genetic diversity analysis for wild and cultivated accessions of Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf using phytochemical and molecular markers Shamsheer B, Riaz N, Yousaf Z, Hyder S, Aftab A, Iqbal R, Rahman MH, Al-Ashkar I, F. Almutairi K, El Sabagh A PeerJ 29-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9250312
doi:10.7717/peerj.13505
PMID:35789659
Essential Oil Coating: Mediterranean Culinary Plants as Grain Protectants against Larvae and Adults of Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma granarium Papanikolaou NE, Kavallieratos NG, Iliopoulos V, Evergetis E, Skourti A, Nika EP, Haroutounian SA Insects 03-Feb-2022
PMCID:PMC8874495
doi:10.3390/insects13020165
PMID:35206738
How do essential oil composition and phenolic acid profile of Heracleum persicum fluctuate at different phenological stages? Hazrati S, Mollaei S, Rabbi Angourani H, Hosseini SJ, Sedaghat M, Nicola S Food Sci Nutr 28-Sep-2020
PMCID:PMC7684603
doi:10.1002/fsn3.1916
PMID:33282270
Antibacterial Activity of Ritchiea albersii Gilg and Cynoglossum amplifolium Leaves Extracts against Selected Bacteria Engiso H, Worku T, Nureye D, Salahaddin M, Woldeselassie W, Hambisa S, Sharief N Saudi J Med Med Sci 20-Aug-2020
PMCID:PMC7485663
doi:10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_276_19
PMID:32952512
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Radical Scavenging Activity of Essential Oils from Satureja macrantha C.A.Mey. at Different Growth Stages Aghbash BN, Pouresmaeil M, Dehghan G, Nojadeh MS, Mobaiyen H, Maggi F Foods 14-Apr-2020
PMCID:PMC7230864
doi:10.3390/foods9040494
PMID:32295101
Wild edible plants in Yeşilli (Mardin-Turkey), a multicultural area Yeşil Y, Çelik M, Yılmaz B J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 05-Nov-2019
PMCID:PMC6833206
doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0327-y
PMID:31690334
The essential oils of two achillea l. species from turkey Fatma Tosun, Mine Kürkçüoğlu ​Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia 08-May-2018
doi:10.23893/1307-2080.APS.05611
A Review of Botany and Pharmacological Effect and Chemical Composition of Echinophora Species Growing in Iran Hosseini Z, Lorigooini Z, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Shirmardi HA, Solati K Pharmacognosy Res 01-Oct-2017
PMCID:PMC5717781
doi:10.4103/pr.pr_22_17
PMID:29263622
Evaluation the antibacterial effects of Echinophora platyloba extracts against some Salmonella species Ranjbar R, Babaie S Electron Physician 25-Feb-2016
PMCID:PMC4821308
doi:10.19082/1943
PMID:27054002
Essential Oil of<i>Echinophora tenuifolia</i>L. subsp.<i>sibthorpiana</i>(Guss.) Tutin K. H.C. Baser, F. Z. Erdemgil, T. Özek Informa UK Limited 24-Apr-2012
doi:10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Methoxybenzenes / Dimethoxybenzenes
Methyleugenol 7127 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC 178.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylacetaldehydes
Phenylacetaldehyde 998 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CC=O 120.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylpropanes
p-Cymen-8-ol 14529 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Toluenes
Toluene 1140 Click to see 92.14 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Eugenol 3314 Click to see 164.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons
1,2,3-Trimethylcyclopentadiene 138063 Click to see 108.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
Gamma-Terpinene 7461 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters
Ethyl Decanoate 8048 Click to see CCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC 200.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters
Octyl Acetate 8164 Click to see 172.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
beta-OCIMENE, (3E)- 5281553 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
beta-Ocimene, (3Z)- 5320250 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
Myrcene 31253 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
Carvacrol 10364 Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.23893/1307-2080.APS.05611
Cuminaldehyde 326 Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=O 148.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
P-Cymene 7463 Click to see 134.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Thymol 6989 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(-)-cis-Sabinol 42626427 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
(+-)-alpha-Pinene 6654 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
(1R,5S)-4,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one 6973628 Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2CC1C2(C)C 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
(3R)-4-methylidene-1-(propan-2-yl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-ol 42626428 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
3-Carene 26049 Click to see CC1=CCC2C(C1)C2(C)C 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
4,6,6-Trimethylbicyclo(3.1.1)hept-3-en-2-one 29025 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
Beta-Pinene 14896 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Camphene 6616 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Camphor 2537 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Sabinene 18818 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
4-Terpineol, (+/-)- 11230 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
alpha-PHELLANDRENE 7460 Click to see CC1=CCC(C=C1)C(C)C 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Alpha-Terpinene 7462 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Beta-Phellandrene 11142 Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.23893/1307-2080.APS.05611
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Carvotanacetone 6432475 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1=O)C(C)C 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Limonene, (+/-)- 22311 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Terpinolene 11463 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
Caryophyllene 5281515 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones
(1S,2R,5R,7S,8R,12R,15S,16R,17R)-17-hydroxy-2,7,15-trimethyl-13-oxapentacyclo[9.7.0.02,8.05,7.012,16]octadec-10-en-14-one 162888511 Click to see 316.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Aldehydes / Medium-chain aldehydes
Heptanal 8130 Click to see 114.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Hexanal 6184 Click to see 100.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1994.9698406
Hexenal 10460 Click to see 98.14 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
trans-2-Hexenal 5281168 Click to see 98.14 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones
Jasmone 1549018 Click to see 164.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
Myristicin 4276 Click to see 192.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/FFJ.2730040206

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