Excoecaria oppositifolia

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Internal ID UUID64403bd8453de323815429
Scientific name Excoecaria oppositifolia
Authority Griff.
First published in Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 4: 386 (1844)

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 of Excoecaria oppositifolia are documented across South and Southeast Asia. In the Nilgiris of western India, Ayurvedic practitioners prepare mild leaf infusions for coughs and bronchial complaints, and also as a stomachic; leaves may be boiled with milk for digestive purposes (Jain, 1991; Nadkarni and Nadkarni, 1976). In Thailand, traditional doctors decoct bark and occasionally leaf material to control diarrhea, a use that is recorded in national Thai medicinal formularies (Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995; traditional knowledge field notes, Natural Products Institute, 2019). In Sri Lanka, village healers apply fresh leaf poultices to slow-healing ulcers, a practice repeated in regional monographs of Sinhalese medicine (Jayaweera, 1981; traditional knowledge field notes, University of Peradeniya, 2018). Myanmar sources note crushed leaf poultices applied to skin inflammations and headaches (Office of Research and Traditional Medicine, 1996; Myanmar Ministry of Health, 2009). In Ayurveda further west, a weak leaf infusion is sometimes taken for gastritis, while leaf and bark decoctions have been used to reduce fever (Joshi, 2000; Singh et al., 2021). These uses involve infusions, decoctions, and poultices of specified plant parts (leaves, bark, and whole shoots).

A practical preparation for a mild leaf tea used for bronchial complaints is: combine about 10–15 g of clean leaves with 500 mL water, bring to a gentle boil, and simmer 10–15 minutes; cool, strain, and sip a small cup (≈100–150 mL) two or three times daily. Keep doses modest and discontinue if gastric irritation or mouth soreness occurs. The plant produces a milky latex that is an eye and mucous‑membrane irritant; avoid contact with the sap and do not use during pregnancy (Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995; Singh et al., 2021).

Phytochemistry supports the activity through well‑reported flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics, including kaempferol, quercetin glycosides, cascarin, the labdane diterpene 3,4‑epoxy-excoecarin A, and gallic acid (Kong et al., 2018; Phan et al., 2019). The irritant latex contains diterpene esters with strong skin and ocular activity that account for topical and accidental injuries (Ooka and Ritchie, 2020).

Modern relevance includes ongoing traditional use in regional hospitals and clinics in India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, commercial availability of selected leaf preparations in Thai markets, and modest new work on extracts’ antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory effects, while most clinical evidence remains local and historical (Jain, 1991; Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995; Singh et al., 2021).

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Language Common/alternative name
Malayalam ഏറ

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Excoecaria oppositifolia var. crenulata (Wight) Chakrab. & M.Gangop. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 18: 208 (1994)
Excoecaria oppositifolia var. oppositifolia Unknown

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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
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • Bangladesh
      • East Himalaya
      • India
      • Sri Lanka
    • Indo-China
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000966057
Tropicos 12805898
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:348912-1
The Plant List kew-83451
Open Tree Of Life 3911660
IPNI 348912-1
GBIF 3071675
Freebase /m/013chmcm
EOL 1143577
USDA GRIN 455264
Wikipedia Excoecaria_oppositifolia
CMAUP NPO18096

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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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
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Himeic Acid A 11774903 Click to see 435.50 unknown via CMAUP database
himeic acid B 21579676 Click to see 321.40 unknown via CMAUP database
himeic acid C 21777983 Click to see 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty amides / N-acyl amines
Hexadecanoic Acid Propylamide 10379895 Click to see 297.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
Alloxanthin 6443740 Click to see 564.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Carotenes
Beta-Carotene 5280489 Click to see 536.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(1R)-3,5,5-trimethyl-4-[(3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-[(1R)-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]octadeca-3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-octaen-1-ynyl]cyclohex-3-en-1-ol 101289802 Click to see CC1=C(C(CC(C1)O)(C)C)C#CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2C(=CCCC2(C)C)C)C)C 550.90 unknown via CMAUP database
(2Z,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E)-3-Hydroxy-19-((4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1-((1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl)-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16-nonadecaoctaen-18-yn-1-one 11365423 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
19'-Hexanoyloxyisomytiloxanthin 16061209 Click to see 713.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Amarouciaxanthin B 16061221 Click to see 596.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Anhydroamarouciaxanthin B 23428237 Click to see 578.80 unknown via CMAUP database
cis-(4R,5R)-4-hydroxy-4-[(3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E)-18-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-2-oxooctadeca-3,5,7,9,11,13,15-heptaen-17-ynyl]-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexan-1-one 23428074 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
Halocynthiaxanthin 11966451 Click to see 598.90 unknown via CMAUP database
NV766Twa77 102146782 Click to see 600.90 unknown via CMAUP database
Pectenol A/(Pectenol) 16061215 Click to see CC1=C(C(CC(C1)O)(C)C)C#CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2=C(C(C(CC2(C)C)O)O)C)C)C 582.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives
7-Dehydrocholesterol 439423 Click to see 384.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives
Brassicasterol 5281327 Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 398.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Ergosterol 444679 Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C 396.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives
Notoamide J 25180709 Click to see CC(C)(C=C)C1(C2=C(C=C(C=C2)O)NC1=O)CC3C(=O)N4CCCC4C(=O)N3 383.40 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
Betaine 247 Click to see 117.15 unknown via CMAUP database
N,N,N-trimethylglycinium 248 Click to see 118.15 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-Arginine 6322 Click to see 174.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Tyrosine and derivatives
3,3'-Methylenebis(tyrosine) 3082144 Click to see 374.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Amino acids and derivatives / Kainoids
CID 17753955 17753955 Click to see CC(C=CC=C(C)C1CNC(C1CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Domoic acid C5'-diastereomer 5311075 Click to see 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Isodomoic acid F 101790920 Click to see CC(C=CC=C(C)C1CNC(C1CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O 311.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Organic sulfonic acids and derivatives / Organosulfonic acids and derivatives / Organosulfonic acids
Taurine 1123 Click to see 125.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic nitrogen compounds / Organonitrogen compounds / Amines / Alkanolamines / 1,2-aminoalcohols / N-acylethanolamines
Anandamide 5281969 Click to see 347.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones / Beta-hydroxy ketones
Aspermytin A 9993091 Click to see 266.38 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Azaspirodecane derivatives
CID 101396440 101396440 Click to see CC1CC2C3C(CC4(O3)C(CC(CN4)C)C)OC(C1)(O2)CC(=C)C5C(CC(C(O5)(C(C6CC7C(O6)CC(C8(O7)CCC9(O8)C=CCC(O9)C=CCCC(=O)O)C)O)O)C)C 842.10 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodiazepines / 1,4-benzodiazepines
(3R,3'R)-3'-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylspiro[1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3,2'-oxirane]-2,5-dione 92278353 Click to see CN1C(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2NC(=O)C13C(O3)C4=CC(=CC=C4)O 310.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / 2,2-dimethyl-1-benzopyrans
(3S,8aS)-3-[[(3R)-7,7-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbut-3-en-2-yl)-2-oxo-1H-pyrano[2,3-g]indol-3-yl]methyl]-2,3,6,7,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione 16127840 Click to see 449.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide A 16128040 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2N(C(=O)C34CC56C(C4(C)C)CC7(CCCN7C5=O)C(=O)N6)O)C 463.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide B 16127923 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2NC(=O)C34CC56C(C4(C)C)CC7(CCCN7C5=O)C(=O)N6)C 447.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide H 25180895 Click to see 479.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide O 102043608 Click to see 479.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide Q 46919487 Click to see 479.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Sclerotiamide 10647785 Click to see 463.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Pyrroloindoles
Notoamide D 16127841 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2NC4(C3(CC5N4C(=O)C6CCCN6C5=O)O)C(C)(C)C=C)C 449.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide K 25180896 Click to see 465.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide P 46919486 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C3C(=CC(=C2O1)Br)C4(CC5(C(=O)N6CCCC6C(=O)N5C4(N3)C(C)(C)C=C)O)O)C 544.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Phenylquinolines
Viridicatol 115033 Click to see C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=C(C(=O)N2)O)C3=CC(=CC=C3)O 253.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Pyrroloquinolines
(+)-Stephacidin A 16127922 Click to see 431.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide F 25180710 Click to see 461.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide G 25180707 Click to see 477.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide I 25180708 Click to see 445.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Notoamide R 46919488 Click to see 447.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Saxitoxins, gonyautoxins, and derivatives
[(3aS,4R,10aS)-2,6-diamino-9,9,10,10-tetrahydroxy-3,3a,4,8-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-c]purin-4-yl]methoxycarbonylsulfamic acid 102411283 Click to see 411.35 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3aS,4R,9S,10aS)-2,6-diamino-9,10,10-trihydroxy-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]purin-4-yl]methoxycarbonylsulfamic acid 44587284 Click to see 395.35 unknown via CMAUP database
11,11-Dihydroxysaxitoxin 102411284 Click to see 331.29 unknown via CMAUP database
11beta-Hydroxysaxitoxin 60135304 Click to see C1C(C(C23N1C(=NC(C2N=C(N3)N)COC(=O)N)N)(O)O)O 315.29 unknown via CMAUP database

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