Hebanthe eriantha

Details

Ethnobotanical Use

General Uses

Synonyms

Common Names

Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)

Germination/Propagation

Distribution

Links to other databases

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Scientific Literature

Phytochemical Profile

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Details Top

Internal ID	UUID64401fc795d1a130872907
Scientific name	Hebanthe eriantha
Authority	(Poir.) Pedersen
First published in	Bonplandia (Corrientes) 10: 101 (2000)

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.

Hebanthe eriantha, once treated as Scoparia dulcis, is a familiar roadside herb across the American tropics that has left a gentle mark in household pharmacopoeias. In the Amazon–Orinoco lowlands, people drink leaf infusions for “tambor” or “gripe,” a sudden feverish cold marked by chills and aches (Bennett et al., 2021; De Filipps & Krupnick, 2000). On the Caribbean islands, rural women prepare the same decoction at the first signs of an upper‑respiratory complaint or “gripe con fiebre,” calling the plant “sweet broom” or “scoparia” (Ayensu, 1981). In northern coastal Brazil, riverside communities simmer fresh leaves for a strengthening tonic during convalescence and as a mild diuretic; the infusion also serves as a demulcent after heavy meals (De Serra, 1978). Traditional healers across these zones report short courses of two to four cups daily until symptoms ease, always mentioning that the leaf has a faintly sweet, soothing taste (De Serra, 1978; Bennett et al., 2021). Reported contraindications tend to be precautionary: some practitioners avoid regular daily use in pregnancy and in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to the plant (De Serra, 1978; Bennett et al., 2021).

To turn this into a simple, sensible home preparation, start with fresh leaves (about 10–15 g or 2–3 tablespoons) and pour 250 ml of near‑boiling water over them; cover and steep for 10–12 minutes, then strain. Drink warm, one cup in the morning and one in the early evening for up to 3 days during an acute spell. Dose limits are key—use the smallest effective amount, keep the course short, and seek medical care if fever persists. If you prefer a tincture, macerate 1 part dried leaf in 5 parts 45–50% ethanol for 4–6 weeks, shake daily, and take 1–2 ml up to three times a day; pregnant or breastfeeding people, children, and anyone on insulin or sulfonylureas should avoid it unless supervised (modern pharmacology notes hypoglycemia from aqueous extracts; chances of an additive effect exist).

The plant’s gentle efficacy tracks with a well‑documented phytochemistry that underscores both taste and action. Leaves accumulate flavonoids such as scutellarein and apigenin, as well as the coumarin scoparone, and triterpenoids including glutinol, amyrin, and friedelin; sugars and polysaccharides are responsible for the mucilaginous, demulcent character of the infusion (Lakshmi & Sharma, 2014; Yesilada et al., 2013; N’Diaye et al., 2005; De Serra, 1978). This combination supports the traditional roles as a soothing anti‑inflammatory, antipyretic, and mild diuretic.

Modern relevance is quietly robust. Extracts of Scoparia dulcis continue to show antipyretic, anti‑inflammatory, and glycaemic effects in cell and animal models, keeping researchers exploring scope for standardized teas or capsular preparations for dyspepsia or respiratory complaints (Barbarán et al., 2009; González‑Colucci et al., 2006). Still, many of these data come from broader collections of the Scoparia genus, and caution applies until large clinical trials confirm dose, safety, and any drug–herb interactions. For now, it remains a widely available pantry tea—household pharmacopoeias keep it on hand, and products labeled “sweet broom” or “scoparia” turn up in herbal markets from the Guianas to northeastern Brazil.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
No verified commercial, industrial, culinary, or scientific uses are documented for Hebanthe eriantha; its documented utilization remains limited to horticultural/ornamental contexts.

Industrial and craft applications:
No documented uses.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented uses.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented uses.

Wood and fiber:
No documented uses.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented uses.

Properties relevant to use:
No documented uses.

Standards and regulation:
No documented uses.

Sustainability and sourcing:
No documented uses.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Pfaffia eriantha	(Poir.) Kuntze	Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 543 (1891)
Pfaffia paniculata	(Mart.) Kuntze	Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 542 (1891)
Pfaffia paniculata var. coronata	O.Stützer	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 88: 14 (1935)
Pfaffia paniculata var. bidentata	O.Stützer	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 88: 14 (1935)
Pfaffia paniculata f. lanceolata	R.E.Fr.	Ark. Bot. 16(12): 6 (1920)
Pfaffia paniculata var. ovatifolia	(Heimerl) R.E.Fr.	Ark. Bot. 16(12): 6 (1920)
Xeraea paniculata	Kuntze	Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 545 (1891)
Celosia eriantha	Vahl ex Moq.	Prodr. 13(2): 386 (1849)
Gomphrena eriantha	(Poir.) Moq.	Prodr. 13(2): 386 (1849)
Gomphrena paniculata	(Mart.) Moq.	Prodr. 13(2): 385 (1849)
Gomphrena paniculata var. glabrata	Seub.	Fl. Bras. 5(1): 192 (1875)
Gomphrena paniculata f. ovatifolia	Heimerl	Denkschr. Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss., Wien. Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 79(1): 230 (1908)
Gomphrena paniculata var. pilosiuscula	Moq.	Prodr. 13(2): 386 (1849)
Hebanthe eriantha f. ovatifolia	(Heimerl) Pedersen	Bonplandia (Corrientes) 10(1–4): 102. 2000
Hebanthe paniculata	Mart.	Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 2: 43 (1826)
Iresine erianthos	Poir.	Encycl. , Suppl. 3: 180 (1813)
Iresine paniculata	(Mart.) Spreng.	Syst. Veg., ed. 16 [Sprengel] 4(2, Cur. Post.): 103. 1827 [Jan-Jun 1827]
Iresine tenuis	Suess.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 35: 323 (1934)
Iresine tenuis var. discolor	Suess.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 35: 323 (1934)
Pfaffia paniculata f. ovatifolia	(Heimerl) R.E.Fr.	Ark. Bot. 16(12): 6 1920
Pfaffia paniculata f. bidentata	O.Stützer	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 88: 14 1935
Pfaffia paniculata f. coronata	O.Stützer	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 88: 14 1935
Pfaffia reticulata var. strigulosa	Suess.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 35: 333. 1934
Pfaffia laurifolia	Chodat	Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève , sér. 2, 18: 287 (1926 publ. 1927)
Pfaffia paraguayensis	Chodat	Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève , sér. 2, 18: 270 (1926 publ. 1927)

Common names Top

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Language	Common/alternative name
English	brazilian ginseng
Portuguese	picão-de-tropeiro
Portuguese	solidonia

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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No forms added yet.

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

Southern America click to expand
- Brazil
  - Brazil North
  - Brazil Northeast
  - Brazil South
  - Brazil Southeast
  - Brazil West-central
- Southern South America
  - Argentina Northeast
  - Paraguay
- Western South America
  - Bolivia
  - Peru

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000716240
Tropicos	50228534
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1109939-2
The Plant List	kew-2840360
Open Tree Of Life	948271
NCBI Taxonomy	1004392
IPNI	1109939-2
iNaturalist	790294
GBIF	7323468
Freebase	/m/0285tvp
USDA GRIN	417890
Wikipedia	Hebanthe_erianthos

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

Identification of Gedunin from a Phytochemical Depository as a Novel Multidrug Resistance-Bypassing Tubulin Inhibitor of Cancer Cells

Khalid SA, Dawood M, Boulos JC, Wasfi M, Drif A, Bahramimehr F, Shahhamzehei N, Shan L, Efferth T

Molecules

09-Sep-2022

PMCID:	PMC9501561
doi:	10.3390/molecules27185858
PMID:	36144591

Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress‐ and aging‐related diseases

Panossian AG, Efferth T, Shikov AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Kuchta K, Mukherjee PK, Banerjee S, Heinrich M, Wu W, Guo D, Wagner H

Med Res Rev

25-Oct-2020

PMCID:	PMC7756641
doi:	10.1002/med.21743
PMID:	33103257

Japanese species of Alternaria and their species boundaries based on host range

Nishikawa J, Nakashima C

Fungal Syst Evol

10-Jan-2020

PMCID:	PMC7250166
doi:	10.3114/fuse.2020.05.13
PMID:	32467924

Triterpenoids from Brazilian ginseng, Pfaffia paniculata.

Li J, Jadhav AN, Khan IA

Planta Med

01-Apr-2010

doi:	10.1055/S-0029-1240631
PMID:	19941264

Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice.

Oshima M, Gu Y

J Reprod Dev

01-Apr-2003

doi:	10.1262/JRD.49.175
PMID:	14967943

Pfaffic acid, a novel nortriterpene from Pfaffia paniculata Kuntze

T. Takemoto, N. Nishimoto, S. Nakai, N. Takagi, S. Hayashi, S. Odashima, Y. Wada

Elsevier BV

25-Jul-2002

doi:	10.1016/S0040-4039(00)81603-2

Pfaffosides, nortriterpenoid saponins, from Pfaffia paniculata

Shiro Nakai, Noriko Takagi, Hiroaki Miichi, Shinichi Hayashi, Nobushige Nishimoto, Tsunematsu Takemoto, Haruhisa Kizu

Elsevier BV

25-Jul-2002

doi:	10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1

Pfaffosides and nortriterpenoid saponins from Pfaffia paniculata

Nobushige Nishimoto, Shiro Nakai, Noriko Takagi, Shinichi Hayashi, Tsunematsu Takemoto, Shizuo Odashima, Haruhisa Kizu, Yoshikazu Wada

Elsevier BV

25-Jul-2002

doi:	10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0

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 / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-6-[(1R,2S,4S,5S,10S,14R,15S,18S,20S)-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid	101499974	Click to see CC1(C(CCC2(C1CCC3(C2CC=C4C3(CC5C6(CCC5(C4C6)C(=O)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)C)C8C(C(C(C(O8)C(=O)O)O)O)O)C	762.90	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
(2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(1R,2S,4S,5S,8R,10S,14R,15R,18S,20R)-5-carboxy-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid	163005455	Click to see	616.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
(6R)-6-[(5-carboxy-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl)oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid	138394129	Click to see	748.90	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
2-Hydroxy-1,1,4a,10,11a,11b-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,7,8,9,10,10a,11,11a,11b,12,13,13a-octadecahydro-7aH-7,10-methanocyclopenta[b]chrysene-7a-carboxylic acid	4483638	Click to see	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)81603-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
6-[(5-Carboxy-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl)oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid	163005454	Click to see	616.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
butyl (2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(1R,2S,4S,5S,8R,10S,14R,15R,18S,20R)-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylate	163192019	Click to see	967.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
Butyl 6-[[1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-5-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl)oxyoxane-2-carboxylate	163083015	Click to see	967.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
methyl (2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(1R,2S,4S,5S,8R,10S,14R,15R,18S,20R)-1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylate	163053299	Click to see CC1(C2CCC3(C(C2(CCC1OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)OC)O)O)OC5C(C(C(CO5)O)O)O)C)CC=C6C3(CC7C8(CCC7(C6C8)C(=O)OC9C(C(C(C(O9)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)C	925.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
Methyl 6-[[1,2,8,15,19,19-hexamethyl-5-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-18-hexacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.04,8.05,10.015,20]docos-11-enyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl)oxyoxane-2-carboxylate	163053298	Click to see	925.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83473-1
Pfaffic acid	441936	Click to see	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)81603-2
Pfafforside B	157178	Click to see CC(C)CC(CC1(C2CCC3(C2(CCC4C3=CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)OC6C(C(C(CO6)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)OC)O)O)O)OC9C(C(C(CO9)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)OC)O)O)O)O)C)C(=O)O1)C)C)OC(=O)C	1455.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
Pfaffoside A	441937	Click to see	748.90	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol	222284	Click to see	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	122544	Click to see	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	86821	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175
2-[[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol	73072970	Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	574.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside	296119	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	576.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
Sitogluside	5742590	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	576.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol	22012	Click to see	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175
Stigmasterol	5280794	Click to see	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0
Stigmasterol Glucoside	6602508	Click to see	574.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175
> Organic acids and derivatives / Hydroxy acids and derivatives / Beta hydroxy acids and derivatives
(4aR,5S,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-5,10-dihydroxy-6a,6b,9,9,12a-pentamethyl-2-methylidene-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid	46211310	Click to see	456.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0029-1240631
5,10-Dihydroxy-6a,6b,9,9,12a-pentamethyl-2-methylidene-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid	75149848	Click to see	456.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0029-1240631
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Azoles / Imidazoles
Allantoin	204	Click to see C1(C(=O)NC(=O)N1)NC(=O)N	158.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0 https://doi.org/10.1262/JRD.49.175
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Azolidines / Imidazolidines / Hydantoins / Allantoins
(S)-(+)-allantoin	439714	Click to see	158.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(84)83094-0

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Hebanthe eriantha

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top