Protium heptaphyllum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff8216e0ad749564075 |
| Scientific name | Protium heptaphyllum |
| Authority | Marchand |
| First published in | Vidensk. Meddel. Naturhist. Foren. Kjøbenhavn 1873: 55 (1873) |
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.
In traditional Amazonian medicine the bark, leaves and resin of Protium heptaphyllum are prepared as infusions or decoctions. According to Schultes & Raffauf (1990) the Kayapo of Brazil boil a hand‑sized piece of dried bark in water for about 20 minutes and drink the resulting decoction to lower fever and abdominal pain. Among the Guarani of Paraguay the same authors describe a mild tea made by steeping a handful of fresh leaves in hot water for five minutes, a preparation used to soothe cough and bronchial irritation. The Yanomami of Venezuela prepare a poultice by crushing the gum‑like resin and mixing it with a little water; this macerated resin is applied directly to wounds and skin infections to aid healing.
To make a standard bark decoction, combine 15 g of roughly chopped dried bark with 500 ml of cold water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let the liquid cool for about ten minutes, and strain through a fine cloth. The resulting decoction is taken warm, in doses of 200 ml, up to twice daily for no more than five days. This preparation should not be used by pregnant women, as it may stimulate uterine activity, and it can cause stomach irritation if taken in excess. A short‑term usage guideline is advised, and anyone with existing gastrointestinal disease should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Phytochemical analyses of Protium heptaphyllum have consistently identified the volatile‑oil compounds α‑pinene, β‑pinene and limonene as major constituents, together with the sesquiterpene β‑caryophyllene. The resin contains the triterpene β‑amyrin and the phenolic acid gallic acid, which are reported to possess antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. These compounds plausibly account for the fever‑reducing and wound‑healing actions recorded in traditional preparations.
Modern laboratory work has confirmed antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory effects of the essential oil, prompting interest in commercial tinctures and topical preparations. Extracts of the plant are now marketed as aromatic oils and as standardized ethanol tinctures in several Brazilian herbal shops, and the species remains part of the pharmacopeia of the Kayapo, Guarani and Yanomami communities.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Industrial and craft applications:
The resin of Protium heptaphyllum is collected and used as a natural resin in varnish formulations and as a binder in incense (boiled and rolled sticks). These are documented industrial and craft applications of the resin.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
In some regions the resin has been used as a chewing gum base or flavoring agent in sweets and bakery items. Such uses are recorded in ethnobotanical and food-technology surveys, but are typically localized and not standardized at the national or Codex level.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
The resin and resin-derived essential oil are used as fragrance components in incense blends and occasionally in perfumery. Fragrance roles are reported in surveys of Brazilian aromatic natural products and in commercial compendia of incense materials.
Properties relevant to use:
The material is a natural resin; in varnish systems it functions as a binder and film-forming component, contributing hardness and adhesion. Its fragrance is attributed to the presence of monoterpenes (e.g., limonene), sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes reported in resin chemistry studies. Compatibility with varnish oils and organic solvents is typical of non-oleoresinous, oxygenated natural resins.
Standards and regulation:
Fragrance use is subject to IFRA Standards for essential oils and natural complex substances and may require specification under REACH/SIEF for chemical registration in the EU. As a food additive (if used), natural resin would be covered by national flavoring regulations; no globally harmonized food additive specification for this specific resin exists.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Resin is obtained by tapping tree trunks, which can deplete stands if overharvested; sustainable collection protocols and cultivation are promoted in conservation literature. Geographic distribution and tapping for incense supply inform management planning and traceability standards.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Protium multiflorum | Engl. | Fl. Bras. 12(2): 273 (1874) |
| Protium aromaticum | Engl. | Fl. Bras. 12(2): 273 (1874) |
| Protium tacamahaca | Marchand | Adansonia 8: 52 (1867) |
| Tingulonga multiflora | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 108 (1891) |
| Tingulonga heptaphylla | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 107 (1891) |
| Amyris brasiliensis | Willd. ex Engl. | Monogr. Phan. 4: 64 (1883) |
| Bursera tacahamaca | Baill. | Hist. Pl. 5: 297 (1874) |
| Icica ambrosiaca | Mart. | Reise Bras. 2: 551 (1828) |
| Icica heptaphylla | Aubl. | Hist. Pl. Guiane 1: 337 (1775) |
| Icica salzmannii | Turcz. | Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31(I): 473 (1858) |
| Icica tacamahaca | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 7: 33 (1824) |
| Protium angustifolium | Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 190 (1942) |
| Protium octandrum | Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 198 (1942) |
| Protium heptaphyllum var. unifoliolatum | Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 191. 1942 |
| Protium heptaphyllum var. multiflorum | (Engl. ex Mart.) Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 297. 1942 |
| Protium heptaphyllum var. floribundum | Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 191. 1942 |
| Protium heptaphyllum var. surinamense | (Miq.) Swart | Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 39: 298 (1942) |
| Icica surinamensis | Miq. | |
| Protium hostmannii var. brasiliense | Swart | Acta Bot. Neerl. 15: 52 (1966) |
| Icica guianensis | Triana & Planch. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 5, 14: 297 (1872) |
| Protium heptaphyllum var. angustifolium | Engl. | Fl. Bras. 12(2): 263 (1874) |
| Amyris ambrosiaca | Vell. | Fl. Flumin. 4: t. 3 (1829) |
| Elaphrium heptaphyllum | (Aubl.) Spreng. ex D.Dietr. | Syn. Pl. [D. Dietrich] 2: 1271 1840 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Spanish | protium aromaticum |
| Spanish | protium tacamahaca |
| Spanish | icica heptaphylla |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Protium heptaphyllum subsp. ulei | (Swart) Daly | Fl. Venez. Guayana 3: 716 (1997) |
| Protium heptaphyllum subsp. heptaphyllum | Unknown |
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
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
-
Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
-
Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
-
Southern South America
- Paraguay
-
Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000397106 |
| UNII | SU7X243EKX |
| Tropicos | 4700374 |
| INPN | 732827 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:128338-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2412252 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 645420 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 246847 |
| IUCN Red List | 158460267 |
| IPNI | 128338-1 |
| iNaturalist | 706945 |
| GBIF | 7286785 |
| USDA GRIN | 438718 |
| Wikipedia | Protium_heptaphyllum |
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 / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons | |||||
| Gamma-Terpinene | 7461 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Coumarinolignans | |||||
| 2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-3-methyl-2,3-dihydropyrano[3,2-h][1,4]benzodioxin-9-one | 15608272 | Click to see | 370.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| CID 335652 | 335652 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| Cleomiscosin A | 442510 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty aldehydes | |||||
| Hexadecanal | 984 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC=O | 240.42 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Pentadecanal | 17697 | Click to see | 226.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Tetradecanal | 31291 | Click to see | 212.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| beta-OCIMENE, (3E)- | 5281553 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Myrcene | 31253 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+-)-alpha-Pinene | 6654 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Camphene | 6616 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| alpha-PHELLANDRENE | 7460 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C=C1)C(C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Limonene, (+/-)- | 22311 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,2S,7S,8S)-1,3-dimethyl-8-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.02,7]dec-3-ene | 92042749 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| (1R,4aR,8aS)-1,6-dimethyl-4-propan-2-yl-3,4,4a,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-1-ol | 5315594 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| (1S,5R,7S,10R)-4,10-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.01,5]dec-3-ene | 134779875 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| alpha-Cubebene | 442359 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Cadina-1(10),4-diene | 10223 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(=C2CC1)C)C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Caryophyllene | 5281515 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Copaene | 19725 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Cyclohexene, 4-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (3R-trans)- | 89316 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| delta-Cadinene | 441005 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| delta-Cadinol | 3084311 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Elemene | 12309449 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Farnesene | 5281516 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Humulene | 5281520 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Beta-Elemene | 6918391 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Beta-Eudesmol | 91457 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Germacrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Germacrene A | 9548706 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| (1Z,5Z,8S)-1,5-dimethyl-8-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclodeca-1,5-diene | 6440527 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| Germacrene B | 5281519 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC(=C(C)C)CC1)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1S,2S,4aS,6aR,6aR,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14aR,14bR)-1,2,4a,6a,6b,9,9,12a-octamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14,14a,14b-hexadecahydropicene-2,10-diol | 162934031 | Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1(C)O)C)C)C)(C)C)O)C | 444.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| (3S,4S,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,11R,12S,12aR,14aR,14bR)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol | 162999807 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)CO)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| (4aR,6aR,6aR,6bR,8aS,11S,12S,12aR,14aR,14bR)-11-hydroxy-4,4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-one | 162959926 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| (4aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,12aR,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picene-3,3-diol | 162968551 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)(O)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| 4,4,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picene-3,3-diol | 162968550 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| alpha-Amyrenol | 225688 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Alpha-Amyrin | 73170 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| beta-Amyrenol | 225689 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Beta-Amyrin | 73145 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Brein | 9803424 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Friedelan-3-one | 244297 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Friedelin | 91472 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| gamma-Taraxastane-3,20-diol | 14313597 | Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1(C)O)C)C)C)(C)C)O)C | 444.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| gamma-Taraxastanonol | 14357350 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| Lupeol | 259846 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| Maniladiol | 397934 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| 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/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| Stigmasterol | 5280794 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles | |||||
| Dillapiol | 10231 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1CC=C)OCO2)OC | 222.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1995.9698581 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7,8-dihydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Fraxetin | 5273569 | Click to see | 208.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Scopoletin | 5280460 | Click to see | 192.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-1978(01)00130-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavans / Isoflavanones / 8-prenylated isoflavanones | |||||
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-6,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3-(2,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 10478410 | Click to see | 440.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00289-1 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |