Tetradenia riparia
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643feed5ea16e883695072 |
| Scientific name | Tetradenia riparia |
| Authority | (Hochst.) Codd |
| First published in | Bothalia 14: 181 (1983) |
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.
Across southern Africa the fragrant leaves of Tetradenia riparia—commonly called river bush or Iboza—are steeped in hot water and inhaled to relieve congestion and tight chest, and a mild leaf tea is taken for colds and coughs. Van Wyk and Van Staden note both practices among South African cultures. Similar respiratory use is reported in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and Ugandan researchers record steam inhalation of leaves for colds and nasal congestion, suggesting this pattern of preparation and indication is widespread in the region. The leaves are also crushed and applied as a poultice to painful bites and stings, and in parts of Botswana and Zimbabwe a leaf decoction is given to reduce fever, which complements the respiratory applications.
A simple inhalation water can be made with fresh leaves: add 2–3 handfuls (about 20–40 g) of chopped leaves to 500 ml of simmering water, cover and steep for 10–15 minutes before removing from heat. Remove the lid only when ready to use and, seated in a safe area, lean your head over the bowl, cover with a towel, and inhale the vapor for 5–10 minutes once or twice a day. Because the essential oil is rich in eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) it has an expectorant aroma and the practice is generally tolerated by adults, but it is best avoided in late pregnancy due to uterine stimulant concerns and by young children under 3; a basic safety rule for inhalation is 1–2% eucalyptol exposure (5–10 drops of oil per 30–50 ml hot water), a temperature that does not burn, and frequent breaks for fresh air. For a very mild leaf infusion, steep 2–3 fresh leaves (≈5 g) in 250 ml near‑boiling water for 5–7 minutes, strain, and sip a cupful 1–2 times a day; use is not recommended for nursing mothers and only under adult supervision.
The respiratory activity is readily explained by the plant’s abundant essential oil, which in published work for T. riparia is dominated by eucalyptol (1,8‑cineole) and contains variable amounts of alpha‑terpineol, limonene, and alpha‑pinene (Okello et al., 2010). These terpenoids are known irritants of mucous membranes that stimulate secretion and have been repeatedly linked to bronchodilatory and expectorant effects in aromatherapy and clinical contexts.
Modern research is now revisiting what traditional communities long knew. Essential oil profiles vary seasonally and by locality, and pharmacological studies support anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial actions that complement the historical relief of congestion, while distilled oils and fresh or dried leaves are still sold locally for inhalation and tea (Plazas et al., 2014; Tolo et al., 2016; journal research summarized by Natural Product Research 2016).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Fragrance and cosmetics:
Essential oil distilled from fresh leaves is used in perfumery and aromatherapy; compositions vary by region but commonly include sesquiterpenes (e.g., β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, δ-cadinene) and phenylpropanoids such as myristicin, yielding a warm, spicy-woody aroma suitable for fragrance blends.
Industrial and craft applications:
Leaves are used locally for ceremonial decoration and as a natural insect-repellent in storage of stored products; these are niche craft uses with limited commercial scale.
Common products:
Fresh or dried leaf bundles for fragrance/aromatherapy; distilled essential oil for perfumery and cosmetic applications.
Properties relevant to use:
The essential oil’s sesquiterpene-rich composition and presence of phenylpropanoids contribute to its persistent, warm aroma profile suitable for fragrance formulations.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Iboza riparia | N.E.Br. | Fl. Cap. 5(1): 300 (1910) |
| Moschosma myriostachya | Benth. & Hook.f. | Gen. Pl. 2: 1173 (1876) |
| Moschosma riparia | Hochst. | Flora 28: 67 (1845) |
| Plectranthus riparius | Hochst. | Flora 28: 67 (1845) |
| Premna ferruginea | A.Rich. | Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 172. 1850 |
| Basilicum myriostachyum | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 512 (1891) |
| Basilicum riparium | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 512 (1891) |
| Gumira ferruginea | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 507 (1891) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | ginger bush |
| English | mountain mist |
| Afrikaans | watersalie |
| Finnish | myskiyrtti |
| Japanese | フブキバナ |
| mnc | ᠵᠠᡵᡳᠨ ᠮᠣᠣ |
| Chinese | 臭白花 |
| Chinese | 麝香木 |
| Zulu | ginger bush |
| Zulu | watersalie |
| Zulu | iboza |
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
-
Africa click to expand
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
-
Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
-
South Tropical Africa
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Central America
- Honduras
-
Central America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000321572 |
| Tropicos | 17602679 |
| INPN | 706868 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:913408-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-202369 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 455159 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 992795 |
| IUCN Red List | 149504836 |
| IPNI | 913408-1 |
| iNaturalist | 406462 |
| GBIF | 5609418 |
| USDA GRIN | 418415 |
| Wikipedia | Tetradenia_riparia |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes / Branched alkanes | |||||
| 2-Methyldecane | 23415 | Click to see | 156.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxyhexyl]-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one | 163097336 | Click to see CCCCC(C(C1CC=CC(=O)O1)O)O | 214.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00112-5 |
| [(1S,2R,3S)-1,2-dihydroxy-1-[(2S)-6-oxo-2,3-dihydropyran-2-yl]heptan-3-yl] acetate | 163036045 | Click to see | 286.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(81)85280-6 |
| [1,2-Dihydroxy-1-(6-oxo-2,3-dihydropyran-2-yl)heptan-3-yl] acetate | 72957000 | Click to see CCCCC(C(C(C1CC=CC(=O)O1)O)O)OC(=O)C | 286.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(81)85280-6 |
| 1-Octen-3-Ol | 18827 | Click to see | 128.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| 2-(1,2-Dihydroxyhexyl)-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one | 100918704 | Click to see CCCCC(C(C1CC=CC(=O)O1)O)O | 214.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00112-5 |
| Deacetylboronolide | 101881300 | Click to see | 230.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(86)90115-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,3R,4aR,4bS,7R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4a,7-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-3-ol | 21677685 | Click to see | 304.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81440-5 |
| (2R,4bS,8aS,10S)-4b,8,8-trimethyl-2-propan-2-yl-3,4,5,6,7,8a,9,10-octahydro-1H-phenanthrene-2,10-diol | 21587010 | Click to see | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| 4b,8,8-trimethyl-2-propan-2-yl-3,4,5,6,7,8a,9,10-octahydro-1H-phenanthrene-2,10-diol | 73806949 | Click to see CC(C)C1(CCC2=C(C1)C(CC3C2(CCCC3(C)C)C)O)O | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| 7-ethenyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4a,7-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-3-ol | 22297855 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CC(CC3(C)CO)O)C)C=C | 304.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81440-5 |
| Ibozol | 5458584 | Click to see | 306.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(86)90115-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Geraniol | 637566 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCO)C)C | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Linalool | 6549 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+-)-Fenchone | 14525 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| beta-Fenchyl alcohol | 6973643 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Camphor | 2537 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Terpineol, (+/-)- | 11230 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Alpha-Terpineol | 17100 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Perillaldehyde | 16441 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC(=CC1)C=O | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Perillyl alcohol | 10819 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC(=CC1)CO | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Isocaryophyllene | 5281522 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| (1R,4S,4aR)-1,6-dimethyl-4-propan-2-yl-3,4,4a,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-1-ol | 5315592 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| 1,2,4a,5,6,8a-Hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)naphthalene | 101708 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| alpha-Cadinol | 10398656 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| alpha-Muurolene | 12306047 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CC1)C(=CCC2C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Cadina-1(10),4-diene | 10223 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(=C2CC1)C)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| Caryophyllene | 5281515 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| delta-Cadinene | 441005 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701144 |
| gamma-Gurjunene | 90805 | Click to see CC1CCC(C=C2C1CCC2C)C(=C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| Guaiol | 227829 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Ledum camphor | 22297324 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957672 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins | |||||
| 8a-[3-[5-[4-[3,4-Dihydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-2-hydroxy-6b-(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,11,11,14b-pentamethyl-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylic acid | 74081266 | Click to see | 1237.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3R,8R,9R,10S,13R,14R,17S)-17-[(2R,5R)-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 | 162965363 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| 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/S0031-9422(00)88701-4 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives / Dihydropyranones | |||||
| [(E,3S)-1-[(2R)-6-oxo-2,3-dihydropyran-2-yl]hept-1-en-3-yl] acetate | 101125555 | Click to see CCCCC(C=CC1CC=CC(=O)O1)OC(=O)C | 252.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(86)90115-7 |
| 2-(3-Hydroxyhept-1-enyl)-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one | 72789729 | Click to see | 210.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84590-2 |
| Desacetylumuravumbolide | 11298768 | Click to see | 210.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84590-2 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |