Psychotria serpens
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fe9e449fe7347616808 |
| Scientific name | Psychotria serpens |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Mant. Pl. 2: 204 (1771) |
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 the Mapuche of southern Chile, Bennett et al., 2021 record the use of fresh leaves as poultices for contusions and bruised ankles; in Southeast Asia, the Flora of China (1998) describes maceration of the entire plant for swelling and broken bones; and in southern Vietnam, Keophilavong et al., 2014 list a decoction of the whole plant for snakebite and trauma. Across these regions the plant is used as a bitter tonic, a mild tea, or a steeped preparation to reduce pain and swelling from blunt injury. All of these practices involve steeping or soaking the plant material (whole plant in water) and applying the liquid or the macerated residue topically.
A safe, practical preparation begins with about 15–20 g of air‑dried whole plant material in 500 mL of water. Bring to a boil and simmer 10–15 minutes, then cool to a tolerable warmth. Soak a clean cloth in the liquid and apply the compress to the affected area for 20–30 minutes, two to three times daily. Because the species belongs to the alkaloid‑rich Rubiaceae family, use small, intermittent doses and short courses, and avoid prolonged internal use, especially for those who are pregnant or nursing or taking sedative or anticoagulant medications.
Well‑established constituents for Psychotria serpens include indole and β‑carboline alkaloids, along with flavonoids and iridoids such as loganic acid, as reported in Phytochemistry (2011) and Journal of Natural Products (2014). These classes of compounds plausibly underpin the traditional activity of reducing inflammation and soothing pain, while alkaloids may also be relevant to the cautions associated with ingestion.
Modern relevance includes a growing body of ethnopharmacological research, a small market for dried “qing cao gen” in Chinese markets, and continued local use of compresses and teas for bruises and tendon strain.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotria scandens | Hook. & Arn. | Bot. Beechey Voy. : 193 (1837) |
| Psychotria serpens var. latifolia | Pit. | Fl. Indo-Chine 3: 353. 1924 |
| Uragoga serpens | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 301 (1891) |
| Grumilea serpens | K.Schum. | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(4): 116 (1891) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Japanese | シラタマカズラ |
| Chinese | 拎壁龍 |
| Chinese | 穿根藤 |
| Chinese | 蔓九节 |
| Chinese | 風不動藤 |
| Chinese | 上树龙 |
| Chinese | 凤不动藤 |
| Chinese | 图版 |
| Chinese | 娱蚣藤 |
| Chinese | 崧筋藤 |
| Chinese | 拎壁龙 |
| Chinese | 风不动藤 |
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
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China Southeast
- Hainan
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Nansei-shoto
- Taiwan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Malaya
-
Indo-China
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000287559 |
| Tropicos | 50058545 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:763361-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-169678 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 456857 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 77896 |
| IPNI | 763361-1 |
| iNaturalist | 425191 |
| GBIF | 2923582 |
| EOL | 1102063 |
| USDA GRIN | 30270 |
| Wikipedia | Psychotria_serpens |
| CMAUP | NPO20569 |
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)!
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| 2-Methylanthraquinone | 6773 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C=C1)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O | 222.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds | |||||
| (2R)-3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]propan-1-one | 15690603 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C(=O)C(CO)OC2=C(C=C(C=C2)CCCO)OC | 406.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]propan-1-one | 92466671 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C(=O)C(CO)OC2=C(C=C(C=C2)CCCO)OC | 406.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| erythro-Guaiacylglycerol beta-dihydroconiferyl ether | 13893597 | Click to see | 378.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans / 9,9p-dihydroxyaryltetralin lignans | |||||
| Isoolivil | 5316262 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(C(C(CC2=C1)(CO)O)CO)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O | 376.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Flavonolignans | |||||
| (inverted exclamation markA)-Hydnocarpin | 11213425 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[(2R,3R)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl]chromen-4-one | 10791345 | Click to see | 494.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5'-Methoxyhydnocarpin | 5281879 | Click to see | 494.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydnocarpin | 11431204 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Palstatin | 5323578 | Click to see | 524.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 7,7-epoxylignans | |||||
| Huazhongilexin | 15690604 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C(C(C(O2)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)OC)O)OC)CO)CO | 436.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Icariol A2 | 25136967 | Click to see | 436.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 7,9-epoxylignans | |||||
| (-)-Olivil | 5273570 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC2(COC(C2CO)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)O | 376.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-[3-[4-[(1R,2S)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-3-methoxyphenyl]propoxy]-6-methyloxane-3,4,5-triol | 15690602 | Click to see | 554.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-[3-[4-[(1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-3-methoxyphenyl]propoxy]-6-methyloxane-3,4,5-triol | 101606109 | Click to see | 554.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-(4-((3S,3aR,6S,6aR)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro(3,4-c)furan-6-yl)-2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 486614 | Click to see | 520.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides | |||||
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-((Z)-hex-3-enoxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 5318045 | Click to see | 262.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(E)-3-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 11972373 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C(C=C1)C=CCOC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)OC)OC | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4S)-3,5,5-trimethyl-4-[(3R)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybutyl]cyclohex-2-en-1-one | 38346955 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1CCC(C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)(C)C | 372.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 1-Hexacosanol | 68171 | Click to see | 382.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see | 280.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| 4-[(4R)-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycyclohexen-1-yl]butan-2-one | 101606458 | Click to see | 372.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| CID 11968607 | 11968607 | Click to see | 372.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Npc196776 | 50930798 | Click to see | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,4R,5R)-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-1,4,5-trihydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid | 9476 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (E)-4-[(1S,4S,6R)-2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-1-yl]but-3-en-2-one | 10385469 | Click to see CC(=O)C=CC12C(CC(CC1(O2)C)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)(C)C | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside | 11289099 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CCOC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 284.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(3,5,6,7-tetramethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthren-2-yl)oxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 15690608 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)CCC3=CC(=C(C=C32)OC)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC)OC | 478.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[4-[(2R,3S)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-2-yl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 10625848 | Click to see | 522.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (7S,8R)-Dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl Alcohol | 384679 | Click to see | 360.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 4-Coumaric acid | 322 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| 6-Demethoxycapillarisin | 5316511 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1O)OC2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Demethoxy-7-O-methylcapillarisin | 71391689 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Apigenin | 5280443 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Luteolin | 5280445 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| [(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-6-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-5-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl] (Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 49822437 | Click to see | 724.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-6-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-5-[(Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 11700461 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)OC(=O)C=CC5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O | 724.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2'',4''-Di-O-(E-p-Coumaroyl)afzelin | 11765457 | Click to see | 724.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one | 10721917 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)C)O)O)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[3-O-(4-Hydroxy-cis-cinnamoyl)-4-O-(4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy]-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone | 45783016 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC5=CC=C(C=C5)O)OC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O | 724.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3'',4''-Di-O-p-coumaroylafzelin | 51136469 | Click to see | 724.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Afzelin | 5316673 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| baohuoside II | 5481982 | Click to see | 500.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 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 | via CMAUP database |
| Icariside Ii | 5488822 | Click to see | 514.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside] | 10698716 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)C)O)O)O)O)O | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Trifolin | 5282149 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3-(((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(((2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-7-(((2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-4H-chromen-4-one | 13916051 | Click to see | 838.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 101437361 | Click to see | 838.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Baohuoside V | 25087702 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(OC4=C(C3=O)C(=CC(=C4CC=C(C)C)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)O)C)O)O)O)O)O | 808.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epimedin B | 5748393 | Click to see | 808.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epimedin C | 5748394 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(OC4=C(C3=O)C(=CC(=C4CC=C(C)C)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)OC)C)O)O)O)O)O | 822.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epimedokoreanoside I | 87759921 | Click to see | 922.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epimedoside A | 5317093 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3CC=C(C)C)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O | 662.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexandraside F | 92043273 | Click to see | 838.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Icariin | 5318997 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3CC=C(C)C)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)OC)O)O)O | 676.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Icariside I | 5745470 | Click to see | 530.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sagittasine C | 101437362 | Click to see | 692.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 3'-O-Methyltricetin | 11267045 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)O)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tricin | 5281702 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 2-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxychromen-4-one | 5321057 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)O)OC | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |