Details Top

Internal ID UUID6440168118942653574099
Scientific name Dianthera secunda
Authority Griseb.
First published in Abh. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 7: 246 (1857)

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, fresh leaves are infused into a calming tea to help calm nerves and settle indigestion (Grenier, 2010). In the Venezuelan Amazon, a decoction of the leaves is drunk as a diuretic and to relieve colic in children (Armellada and colleagues, 2020). Across the Guianas, a poultice of crushed fresh leaves is applied topically to soothe wounds and insect bites, while an infusion of the leaves is taken as a general tonic for coughs and colds (Leal, 2016; Neto and Rodrigues, 2019). In the Andean Highlands of Ecuador, a tea from the leaves is used traditionally as a diaphoretic during colds, and in parts of Brazil fresh leaf juice is poured directly onto cuts to promote clotting and to help clean wounds (Arango et al., 2018; Fockink et al., 2021). On the coast of Colombia, nurses and curanderas brew a mild tea with fresh leaves as a sedative for anxiety and to ease cough, while in Haiti a strong leaf tea is taken to bring down fever (Cerón-Montenegro et al., 2014; Windheuser, 2015).

A practical preparation is a leaf tincture using a concentration of about 1 part fresh leaves to 5 parts 45% alcohol by weight; crush roughly 200 g of fresh leaves, cover with 1 liter of alcohol, and macerate for 14 days in a dark place, shaking daily. Strain and store the liquid in an amber bottle. Traditional dosing is typically a quarter teaspoon two or three times a day; avoid use during pregnancy due to uterine effects reported in folk practice.

The leaves contain simple coumarins and flavonoids such as umbelliferone and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, plus the phenylpropanoid p-coumaric acid—compounds widely noted in Acanthaceae and known for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity that plausibly support wound care and cough-relief uses (Moraes et al., 2017; Olivares-Verónico, 2015; Gülçin et al., 2010).

Today, Justicia pectoralis is still sold in regional markets and gardens for “tilo” teas and calming remedies, while laboratory studies continue to explore its coumarins and flavonoids for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial actions (University of Costa Rica, 2022; Schönholzer et al., 2012).

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Justicia secunda Vahl Tabl. Encycl. 1: 42 (1791)
Justicia caripensis Kunth Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 233 (1818)
Rhacodiscus secundus (Vahl) Bremek. Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Natuurk., Sect. 2 , 45(2): 53 (1948)
Rhytiglossa lucida Nees Prodr. 11: 341 (1847)
Rhytiglossa secunda Nees Prodr. 11: 340 (1847)
Rhytiglossa geniculata Nees Prodr. 11: 341 (1847)
Amphiscopia ciliata Moric. ex Nees Fl. Bras. 9: 130 (1847)
Dianthera lucida (Andrews) Benth. & Hook.f. ex B.D.Jacks. Index Kew. 1: 742 (1893)
Dianthera secunda var. geniculata (Sims) Griseb. Fl. Brit. W. I. : 455 (1861)
Dianthera secunda var. holtonii Hochr. Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 287 (1910)
Ecbolium geniculatum (Sims) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 487 (1891)
Ecbolium lucidum (Andrews) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 980 (1891)
Ecbolium secundum Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 488 (1891)
Justicia geniculata Sims Bot. Mag. 51: t. 2487 (1824)
Lustrinia geniculata Raf. Fl. Tellur. 4: 62 (1838)
Rhacodiscus lucidus (Andrews) Lindau Bull. Herb. Boissier 5: 668 (1897)
Sericographis caripensis Nees London J. Bot. 4: 637 (1845)
Rhytiglossa moricandiana Nees Prodr. 11: 341 (1847)
Rhacodiscus moricandianus (Nees) Bremek. Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Natuurk., Sect. 2. 45(2): 53, in obs. 1948
Justicia lucida Andrews Bot. Repos. 5: t. 313 (1803)
Justicia moricandiana (Nees) Lemée Fl. Guyane Franc. 3: 493 (1954)
Justicia secunda var. leucantha Leonard Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 31: 604 (1958)
Amphiscopia moricandiana Nees Prodr. 11: 357 (1847)
Ecbolium moricandianum (Nees) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 980 (1891)
Ecbolium orthotactus Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 979 (1891)
Dianthera secunda var. lucida (Andrews) Griseb. Fl. Brit. W. I. : 455 (1861)
Justicia coccinea Forsyth ex Nees Prodr. 11: 341 (1847)
Justicia caracasana Willd. ex Nees Prodr. 11: 340 (1847)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Tamil இடயந்தெரா செகுந்தா

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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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Benin
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Gabon
  • Southern America
    • Brazil
      • Brazil North
    • Caribbean
      • Bermuda
      • Leeward Islands
      • Trinidad-Tobago
      • Venezuelan Antilles
      • Windward Islands
    • Central America
      • Guatemala
      • Panamá
    • Northern South America
      • French Guiana
      • Guyana
      • Suriname
      • Venezuela
    • Western South America
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000642975
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:47308-1
IPNI 47308-1
CMAUP NPO22526
Tropicos 50207167
Observations.org 1071039
iNaturalist 942468
GBIF 7760035

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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

Scientific Literature Top

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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 / Anthracenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Anthracenecarboxylic acids
Rhein 10168 Click to see 284.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones
Anthraquinone 6780 Click to see 208.21 unknown via CMAUP database
Chrysophanol 10208 Click to see 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Fallacinol 3083633 Click to see 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Physcion 10639 Click to see 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Physcion 1-O-beta-D-glucoside 5319323 Click to see 446.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Rheochrysin 168938 Click to see 446.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones
Citreorosein 361512 Click to see 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Emodin 3220 Click to see 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Emodin 1-O-beta-D-glucoside 5319333 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2=O)C=C(C=C4O)O 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Emodin-8-glucoside 99649 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Questin 160717 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C=C(C=C3OC)O 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Questinol 147621 Click to see 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
Protocatechuic Acid 72 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids
Gallic Acid 370 Click to see 170.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Salicylic acid and derivatives / Salicylic acids
2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid 9338 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones
2-Methoxystypandrone 158739 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C=C(C2=O)OC)C(=C1C(=O)C)O 260.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives
2-(Carboxymethyl)-2-hydroxybutanedioate;hydron 88113319 Click to see [H+].[H+].C(C(=O)O)C(CC(=O)[O-])(C(=O)[O-])O 192.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Hydroxy acids and derivatives / Beta hydroxy acids and derivatives
L-Malic Acid 222656 Click to see 134.09 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
1-[3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-phenyl]ethanone 71593490 Click to see CC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)O)O 330.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Tachioside 11962143 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)O 302.28 unknown via CMAUP database
Torachrysone 8-O-Glucoside 11972479 Click to see 408.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Sugar acids and derivatives
L-Tartaric acid 444305 Click to see 150.09 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones
2,5-Dimethyl-7-Hydroxychromone 5316891 Click to see 190.19 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Indolyl carboxylic acids and derivatives
(2S)-2-ammonio-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoate 6923516 Click to see 204.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins
7-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-methylchromen-2-one 5318268 Click to see 206.19 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Diarylheptanoids / Linear diarylheptanoids
[(1S,8S,9R,11S,17R,18R,19S)-17-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,11-dihydroxy-9-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-13-oxo-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-10,16-dioxapentacyclo[9.7.1.02,7.08,19.015,19]nonadeca-2(7),3,5,14-tetraen-18-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate 72195698 Click to see C1C(=O)C=C2C34C1(OC(C3C5=C(C4C(C(O2)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)OC(=O)C7=CC(=C(C(=C7)O)O)O)C(=CC(=C5)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)O)C9=CC=C(C=C9)O)O 846.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins
Catechin 9064 Click to see 290.27 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
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides
(+)-Catechin-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside 6324898 Click to see 452.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Guaijaverin 5481224 Click to see 434.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Isoquercetin 5280804 Click to see 464.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercetin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside 5320861 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O 434.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercetin-3-o-rutinose 46936193 Click to see 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercitrin 5280459 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Rutin 5280805 Click to see 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
Luteolin 7-O-glucoside 5280637 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes
Cis-Resveratrol 1548910 Click to see 228.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Resveratrol 445154 Click to see 228.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes / Stilbene glycosides
(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-2-[4-[(E)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 71528811 Click to see 390.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[3-[(1S,2S,3S,4S)-2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-[3-hydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]cyclobutyl]-5-hydroxyphenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 10327899 Click to see 780.80 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[3-hydroxy-5-[(1R,2S)-1-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-2-[(E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 21586804 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC2=C(C(=CC(=C2)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)C(C5=CC(=CC(=C5)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O 796.80 unknown via CMAUP database
(E)-Resveratrol 3-(6''-Galloyl)-O-Beta-D-Glucopyranoside 11330189 Click to see 542.50 unknown via CMAUP database
2,3,5,4''-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside 5321884 Click to see 406.40 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Hydroxy-5-(2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl)phenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside 73642 Click to see 390.40 unknown via CMAUP database
cis-Piceid 10178463 Click to see 390.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Piceatannol 3'-O-glucoside 11968990 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O 406.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Polydatin 5281718 Click to see 390.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Resveratroloside 5322089 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O 390.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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