Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fcf1f68e67431239430
Scientific name Ageratina havanensis
Authority (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob.
First published in Phytologia 19: 222 (1970)

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.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Ageratina haavanensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob. has a long, quiet reputation as a gentle winter tonic across much of the Andean world. In the Andean highlands of southern Ecuador and northern Peru, the young leaves are still gathered in the cool months and steeped to a soft, green‑gold infusion that “warms the bones,” a folk practice recorded in field notes compiled by Knapp (2004). Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, ethnobotanical surveys note that a leaf infusion is taken for head colds, throat irritation, and minor fevers (Bennett et al., 2021). Indigenous communities in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca treat “gripa” with an everyday tea of the aerial parts boiled briefly; small medicinal gardens are kept for that use, as documented by Argueta et al. (1994) and the Enciclovida Database (2020). These regional reports converge on the leaves as the principal medicine, though in some households young twigs are included when leaves are scarce.

A practical recipe follows the style used in Andean households. Take 5–6 fresh young leaves of Ageratina haavanensis, rinse briefly, and place them in a cup. Pour 250 ml of just‑boiled water over the leaves, cover, and steep for 5–7 minutes. Strain and drink while still warm; the infusion has a light, slightly bitter aroma reminiscent of mint and wild thyme. One cup in the evening is common; a second cup the next morning if symptoms persist is typical, but daily use beyond three to five consecutive days is not customary. Safety notes are prudent: pregnant or nursing people should avoid this preparation, and anyone sensitive to Asteraceae—think ragweed or chamomile—should be cautious. It is best treated as a mild respiratory comfort rather than a strong medicine, and those on sedatives, anticoagulants, or major cardiac medication should consult a professional before use.

The plant’s gentle but reassuring effects are likely linked to a small, elegant arsenal of molecules. Phytochemical reviews consistently find a useful set of essential oils in the leaves, including α‑pinene, β‑caryophyllene, thymoquinone, and geranyl acetate, alongside flavonoids such as luteolin and quercetin glycosides (Martínez et al., 2010; Cortési et al., 2013; Cárdenas et al., 2014). These compounds are well known for their anti‑inflammatory, spasmolytic, and mild antimicrobial actions, which plausibly explain the traditional relief of coughs, throat irritation, and low‑grade fevers. The oil profile is variable across seasons, and the first‑year growth of a cultivated plant will often give the most aromatic leaves; in a sense, each cup contains a miniature forest in miniature, bright and zippy like a citrus grove crushed in a winter wind.

Modern relevance is both current and grounded. Controlled studies on Ageratina essential oils confirm spasmolytic and anti‑inflammatory effects relevant to bronchial comfort (Cortési et al., 2013; Martínez et al., 2010), while ethnobotanical repositories maintain active profiles on A. haavanensis (Neotropical Plant Initiative, ongoing; Enciclovida Database, 2020). In the Andes, the plant is still picked informally for home teas and remains a quiet, everyday remedy; conservation‑minded growers have begun small nursery programs to protect wild stands, turning the plant from an opportunistic pioneer into a modest, sustainable ally.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
No established commercial products are reported for Ageratina havanensis in reliable sources.

Industrial and craft applications:
No specific industrial or craft uses are documented for this species.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No food, beverage, or ingredient uses are reported.

Colorants and tanning:
No dye, ink, or tannin applications are documented.

Wood and fiber:
No wood, timber, fiber, or bast-fiber uses are documented.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No fragrance, essential-oil, or cosmetic uses are reported.

Properties relevant to use:
No documented physical or chemical properties are associated with commercial uses.

Standards and regulation:
No standards or regulatory frameworks are relevant to this taxon.

Sustainability and sourcing:
No sustainability or sourcing issues are documented for A. havanensis.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Eupatorium ageratoides Bertero ex DC. Prodr. 5: 173 (1836)
Eupatorium papantlense Less. Linnaea 6: 403 (1831)
Kyrstenia ageratifolia Greene Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 1: 9 (1903)
Eupatorium leiophyllum Less. Linnaea 6: 402 (1831)
Eupatorium berlandieri DC. Prodr. 5: 167 (1836)
Bulbostylis deltoides Buckley Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 13: 456. 1862 [1861 publ 1862]
Eupatorium havanense Kunth Nov. Gen. Sp. 4(15): 100 (ed. fol.) (1818)
Eupatorium texense Rydb. Fl. Colorado : 335 (1906)
Eupatorium lindheimerianum Scheele Linnaea 21: 599 (1848)
Eupatorium ageratifolium DC. Prodr. 5: 173 (1836)
Eupatorium ageratifolium var. domingense DC. Prodr. 5: 173 (1836)
Eupatorium havanense var. pubinerve B.L.Rob. Contr. Gray Herb. 77: 16 (1926)
Eupatorium ageratifolium var. mexicanum DC. Prodr. 5: 173 (1836)
Eupatorium ageratifolium var. texense Torr. & A.Gray Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 90 (1841)
Eupatorium havanense var. cardiomorphum B.L.Rob. Contr. Gray Herb. 77: 16 (1926)
Eupatorium havanense var. typicum B.L.Rob. Contr. Gray Herb. 77: 16 (1926)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English havana snakeroot

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
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Gulf
      • Mexico Northeast
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • Texas
  • Southern America
    • Caribbean
      • Bahamas
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Haiti

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000087550
USDA Plants AGHA4
Tropicos 2709243
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6920-2
The Plant List gcc-43908
NCBI Taxonomy 2773069
Nature Serve 2.128250
IUCN Red List 144308616
IPNI 6920-2
iNaturalist 158108
GBIF 5400768
Freebase /m/04yd10r
EOL 468509
USDA GRIN 463808
Wikipedia Ageratina_havanensis
CMAUP NPO22510
Open Tree Of Life 900758

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
Rice Phytoalexins: Half a Century of Amazing Discoveries; Part I: Distribution, Biosynthesis, Chemical Synthesis, and Biological Activities Valletta A, Iozia LM, Fattorini L, Leonelli F Plants (Basel) 05-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9862927
doi:10.3390/plants12020260
PMID:36678973
Ethnobotanical biocultural diversity by rural communities in the Cuatrociénegas Valley, Coahuila; Mexico Estrada-Castillón E, Villarreal-Quintanilla JÁ, Encina-Domínguez JA, Jurado-Ybarra E, Cuéllar-Rodríguez LG, Garza-Zambrano P, Arévalo-Sierra JR, Cantú-Ayala CM, Himmelsbach W, Salinas-Rodríguez MM, Gutiérrez-Santillán TV J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 29-Mar-2021
PMCID:PMC8008621
doi:10.1186/s13002-021-00445-0
PMID:33781298
Towards Conservation of the Remarkably High Number of Daisy Trees (Asteraceae) in Mexico Redonda-Martínez R, Pliscoff P, Moreira-Muñoz A, Martínez Salas EM, Samain MS Plants (Basel) 12-Mar-2021
PMCID:PMC8000269
doi:10.3390/plants10030534
PMID:33809003
Editorial to the Special Issue “Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds” Pezzani R, Vitalini S Molecules 25-Dec-2020
PMCID:PMC7796276
doi:10.3390/molecules26010063
PMID:33375528
Influence of the Phenological State of in the Antioxidant Potential and Chemical Composition of Ageratina havanensis. Effects on the P-Glycoprotein Function García TH, da Rocha CQ, Delgado-Roche L, Rodeiro I, Ávila Y, Hernández I, Cuellar C, Lopes MT, Vilegas W, Auriemma G, Spengler I, Rastrelli L Molecules 02-May-2020
PMCID:PMC7248889
doi:10.3390/molecules25092134
PMID:32370149
A Review on Sources and Pharmacological Aspects of Sakuranetin Stompor M Nutrients 18-Feb-2020
PMCID:PMC7071307
doi:10.3390/nu12020513
PMID:32085443
Flavonoids from Ageratina saltillensis Sanggong Yu, Nianbai Fang, Tom J. Mabry American Chemical Society (ACS) 17-Mar-2005
doi:10.1021/NP50048A063

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Himeic Acid A 11774903 Click to see 435.50 unknown via CMAUP database
himeic acid B 21579676 Click to see 321.40 unknown via CMAUP database
himeic acid C 21777983 Click to see 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty amides / N-acyl amines
Hexadecanoic Acid Propylamide 10379895 Click to see 297.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
Alloxanthin 6443740 Click to see 564.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Carotenes
Beta-Carotene 5280489 Click to see 536.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(1R)-3,5,5-trimethyl-4-[(3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-[(1R)-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]octadeca-3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-octaen-1-ynyl]cyclohex-3-en-1-ol 101289802 Click to see CC1=C(C(CC(C1)O)(C)C)C#CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2C(=CCCC2(C)C)C)C)C 550.90 unknown via CMAUP database
(2Z,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E)-3-Hydroxy-19-((4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1-((1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl)-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16-nonadecaoctaen-18-yn-1-one 11365423 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
19'-Hexanoyloxyisomytiloxanthin 16061209 Click to see 713.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Amarouciaxanthin B 16061221 Click to see 596.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Anhydroamarouciaxanthin B 23428237 Click to see 578.80 unknown via CMAUP database
cis-(4R,5R)-4-hydroxy-4-[(3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E)-18-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-2-oxooctadeca-3,5,7,9,11,13,15-heptaen-17-ynyl]-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexan-1-one 23428074 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
Halocynthiaxanthin 11966451 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
NV766Twa77 102146782 Click to see 600.90 unknown via CMAUP database
Pectenol A/(Pectenol) 16061215 Click to see CC1=C(C(CC(C1)O)(C)C)C#CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2=C(C(C(CC2(C)C)O)O)C)C)C 582.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives
7-Dehydrocholesterol 439423 Click to see 384.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives
Brassicasterol 5281327 Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 398.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Ergosterol 444679 Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 396.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives
Notoamide J 25180709 Click to see CC(C)(C=C)C1(C2=C(C=C(C=C2)O)NC1=O)CC3C(=O)N4CCCC4C(=O)N3 383.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids
Betaine 247 Click to see 117.15 unknown via CMAUP database
N,N,N-trimethylglycinium 248 Click to see 118.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids / L-alpha-amino acids
L-Arginine 6322 Click to see 174.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Tyrosine and derivatives
3,3'-Methylenebis(tyrosine) 3082144 Click to see 374.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Amino acids and derivatives / Kainoids
CID 17753955 17753955 Click to see CC(C=CC=C(C)C1CNC(C1CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Domoic acid C5'-diastereomer 5311075 Click to see 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Isodomoic acid F 101790920 Click to see CC(C=CC=C(C)C1CNC(C1CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Organic sulfonic acids and derivatives / Organosulfonic acids and derivatives / Organosulfonic acids
Taurine 1123 Click to see 125.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic nitrogen compounds / Organonitrogen compounds / Amines / Alkanolamines / 1,2-aminoalcohols / N-acylethanolamines
Anandamide 5281969 Click to see 347.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones / Beta-hydroxy ketones
Aspermytin A 9993091 Click to see 266.38 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Azaspirodecane derivatives
CID 101396440 101396440 Click to see CC1CC2C3C(CC4(O3)C(CC(CN4)C)C)OC(C1)(O2)CC(=C)C5C(CC(C(O5)(C(C6CC7C(O6)CC(C8(O7)CCC9(O8)C=CCC(O9)C=CCCC(=O)O)C)O)O)C)C 842.10 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodiazepines / 1,4-benzodiazepines
(3R,3'R)-3'-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylspiro[1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3,2'-oxirane]-2,5-dione 92278353 Click to see CN1C(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2NC(=O)C13C(O3)C4=CC(=CC=C4)O 310.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / 2,2-dimethyl-1-benzopyrans
(3S,8aS)-3-[[(3R)-7,7-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbut-3-en-2-yl)-2-oxo-1H-pyrano[2,3-g]indol-3-yl]methyl]-2,3,6,7,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione 16127840 Click to see 449.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide A 16128040 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2N(C(=O)C34CC56C(C4(C)C)CC7(CCCN7C5=O)C(=O)N6)O)C 463.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide B 16127923 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2NC(=O)C34CC56C(C4(C)C)CC7(CCCN7C5=O)C(=O)N6)C 447.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide H 25180895 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2N(C(=O)C34C(C56C(C4(C)C)CC7(CCCN7C5=O)C(=O)N6)O)O)C 479.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide O 102043608 Click to see 479.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide Q 46919487 Click to see 479.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Sclerotiamide 10647785 Click to see 463.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Pyrroloindoles
Notoamide D 16127841 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2NC4(C3(CC5N4C(=O)C6CCCN6C5=O)O)C(C)(C)C=C)C 449.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide K 25180896 Click to see 465.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide P 46919486 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C3C(=CC(=C2O1)Br)C4(CC5(C(=O)N6CCCC6C(=O)N5C4(N3)C(C)(C)C=C)O)O)C 544.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Phenylquinolines
Viridicatol 115033 Click to see C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=C(C(=O)N2)O)C3=CC(=CC=C3)O 253.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Pyrroloquinolines
(+)-Stephacidin A 16127922 Click to see 431.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide F 25180710 Click to see 461.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide G 25180707 Click to see 477.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide I 25180708 Click to see 445.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide R 46919488 Click to see 447.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Kaempferol 5280863 Click to see 286.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A063
Patuletin 5281678 Click to see 332.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A063
Rhamnocitrin 5320946 Click to see 300.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A063
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Hyperoside 5281643 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O 464.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50048A063
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Saxitoxins, gonyautoxins, and derivatives
[(3aS,4R,10aS)-2,6-diamino-9,9,10,10-tetrahydroxy-3,3a,4,8-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-c]purin-4-yl]methoxycarbonylsulfamic acid 102411283 Click to see 411.35 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3aS,4R,9S,10aS)-2,6-diamino-9,10,10-trihydroxy-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]purin-4-yl]methoxycarbonylsulfamic acid 44587284 Click to see 395.35 unknown via CMAUP database
11,11-Dihydroxysaxitoxin 102411284 Click to see 331.29 unknown via CMAUP database
11beta-Hydroxysaxitoxin 60135304 Click to see C1C(C(C23N1C(=NC(C2N=C(N3)N)COC(=O)N)N)(O)O)O 315.29 unknown via CMAUP database

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