Ocimum africanum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fe4c03e6d5450127594 |
| Scientific name | Ocimum africanum |
| Authority | Lour. |
| First published in | Fl. Cochinch. : 370 (1790) |
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
Across eastern and southern Africa, Ocimum africanum has been prepared as a simple liquid medicine for feverish colds and coughs. In South Africa, the Zulu and Venda communities traditionally decoct the leaves and sometimes include aerial parts, drinking the liquid while warm to break fevers and calm coughs (van Wyk and Gericke, 2018; Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). In Kenya, fresh leaves are infused to treat colds and fevers, and elders recommend a honey-tempered drink for coughs (Kokwaro, 2009; Onyango, 2013). In coastal Mozambique and neighboring areas, leaves are similarly made into a tea to reduce fever and ease respiratory complaints, reflecting a wide regional familiarity with this lemony-scented herb (Jansen, 1981; Verde et al., 2002).
A practical leaf tea is straightforward to prepare. For a fever and cough remedy, steep about 1 heaping tablespoon (roughly 5–8 g) of fresh, clean leaves in 250 ml of freshly boiled water, covered, for 8–12 minutes; strain and drink warm, up to 2–3 cups per day while symptoms persist. If fresh leaves are scarce, use 3–5 g of dried herb per 250 ml of water and infuse 10–15 minutes. The tea is considered mild when used in these amounts; as with all strong-smelling labiates, people with known allergic reactions to basil or mint should avoid it, and evidence on safety in pregnancy and nursing is limited—many authorities advise caution and professional guidance during those periods.
Phytochemical studies of this species repeatedly report the essential-oil chemotype of high linalool with geraniol, citral, and camphor in modest proportions, accompanied by flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin, and phenolic acids including rosmarinic acid. These constituents are well documented for O. africanum and plausibly account for the mild antispasmodic and soothing actions traditionally sought (Jirovetz et al., 2003; Chagonda et al., 2000; Grayer et al., 1996; Dandlen et al., 2010). The essential oil profile is similar to lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and suggests antimicrobial support, while rosmarinic acid provides antioxidant potential compatible with the gentle remedy profile.
Today the herb is still occasionally encountered in local markets in Mozambique and South Africa, where it is sold as a leafy green and medicinal tea (Verde et al., 2002; van Wyk and Gericke, 2018). Contemporary pharmacological work on the essential oil and leaf extracts continues to corroborate its antimicrobial and antispasmodic effects, mirroring longstanding traditional indications but not replacing careful, dose-aware use by local practitioners (Jirovetz et al., 2003; Chagonda et al., 2000).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Cultivated as a culinary herb; leaves used fresh or dried as a flavoring/spice.
- Steam-distilled essential oil produced from leaves/flowering tops for fragrance and flavor use.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Leaves incorporated as a flavoring ingredient in foods, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine; leaves may be eaten raw or cooked.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Essential oil (high in citral) used in perfumery as a lemon-type fragrance component and as a flavoring agent.
Properties relevant to use:
- Essential oil composition is citral-dominated (neral and geranial), conferring strong lemon aroma suitable for perfumery and flavor applications.
- Plant is cultivated and harvested for oil production by steam distillation of aerial parts.
Standards and regulation:
- Essential oil quality is generally described in national or regional monographs (e.g., European or ISO standards) for basil/ lemon-basil oils; compliance is with established commerce norms for food-grade flavorings and fragrance-grade oils.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ocimum americanum var. pilosum | (Willd.) A.J.Paton | Kew Bull. 47: 426 (1992) |
| Ocimum basilicum var. anisatum | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. 4. 1832 |
| Ocimum citriodorum | Vis. | Index Seminum (PAD, Patavium) 1840: 9 (1840) |
| Ocimum graveolens | A.Br. | Flora 24: 265 1841 |
| Ocimum petitianum | A.Rich. | Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 176 (1850) |
| Ocimum pilosum | Willd. | Enum. Pl. : 629 (1809) |
| Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum | (Willd.) Benth. | Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 13. 1830 |
| Ocimum pilosum | Roxb. | Asiat. Res. 11: 173 (1810) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Arabic | حبق أفريقي |
| gor | balakama |
| Indonesian | kemangi |
| Japanese | レモンバジル |
| Korean | 레몬바질 |
| Dutch | citroenbasilicum |
| Chinese | 柠檬罗勒 |
| Chinese | 疏柔毛罗勒 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Ethiopia
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Northern Provinces
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
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Eastern Asia
- Taiwan
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China
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- India
- Sri Lanka
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Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Malaya
- Philippines
- Sulawesi
- Sumatera
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Papuasia
- New Guinea
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Queensland
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Australia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Southeast
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Mexico
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil Northeast
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Caribbean
- Netherlands Antilles
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Central America
- Guatemala
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000253206 |
| UNII | ZFS0SU4466 |
| Tropicos | 17607556 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:452853-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-136798 |
| IPNI | 452853-1 |
| iNaturalist | 360190 |
| GBIF | 3898584 |
| Freebase | /m/094qqc |
| EPPO | OCICI |
| USDA GRIN | 463843 |
| Wikipedia | Lemon_basil |
| CMAUP | NPO11046 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 5144688 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
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 acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides | |||||
| (Z)-3-phenyl-2-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyprop-2-enoic acid | 53385591 | Click to see | 326.30 | 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-Ndelta-acetylornithine | 90658764 | Click to see | 174.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid | 9945785 | Click to see | 338.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid, (Z)- | 92135690 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)O)O | 338.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5-p-Coumaroylquinic acid, (Z)- | 90478782 | Click to see | 338.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chlorogenic Acid | 1794427 | 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 |
| trans-5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-D-quinic acid | 6441280 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)O)O | 338.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| Sucrose | 5988 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| 4-O-beta-D-glucosyl-4-coumaric acid | 9840292 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC(=O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 326.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4'-O-beta-D-glucosyl-cis-p-coumaric acid | 10604651 | Click to see | 326.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Arbutin | 440936 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 272.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Caffeic acid 4-O-glucoside | 11382279 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C=CC(=O)O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| cis-Ferulic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 9820054 | Click to see | 356.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Trans-4-O-Beta-D-Glucopyranosylferulic Acid | 13916049 | Click to see | 356.32 | 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 / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| 2-(2-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-5-benzofuranol | 185034 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methylsainfuran | 44260111 | Click to see | 300.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Coumaric acid esters | |||||
| (2R)-2-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxybutanedioic acid | 26176222 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC(=O)OC(CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)O | 280.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methoxyoxan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 15048037 | Click to see | 340.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[(1S,3R,4R,5R)-1,3,4-trihydroxy-5-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxycyclohexyl]acetic acid | 10569992 | Click to see | 352.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl 6-O-[(Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propenoyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 102371158 | Click to see COC1C(C(C(C(O1)COC(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 340.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols | |||||
| Garbanzol | 442410 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C=C3)O)O)O | 272.25 | 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 | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[4-(5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 102371159 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(C=C(C=C2)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)O)O)OC)O)O)O | 504.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[3-methoxy-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]chromen-4-one | 14406834 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-[[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781229 | 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)COC6C(C(C(C(O6)C)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O | 916.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781227 | Click to see | 962.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781228 | Click to see | 916.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781232 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O | 786.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781230 | Click to see | 816.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781231 | Click to see | 770.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101781233 | Click to see | 800.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone-3-yl 2-O-[4-O-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-6-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 101781226 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)C)OC(=O)C=CC7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 932.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Amurenoside A | 10653411 | Click to see | 932.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Amurenoside B | 11803929 | 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)COC6C(C(C(C(O6)C)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O | 932.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Clitorin | 11592917 | Click to see | 740.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Manghaslin | 11498684 | Click to see | 756.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin-3-O-rutinoside | 21577860 | Click to see | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Narcissin | 5481663 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O)O | 624.50 | 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 | |||||
| Quercetin 3-rutinoside-7-glucoside | 10190763 | Click to see | 772.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids | |||||
| (3S)-vestitone | 44446897 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C2COC3=C(C2=O)C=CC(=C3)O)O | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones | |||||
| Isoliquiritigenin | 638278 | Click to see | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| 4-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid | 14132337 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |