Chrysanthellum americanum

Chrysanthellum americanum belongs to the Asteraceae botanical family. Native to Africa and South America, it is a 0.3 m herb growing in dry and rocky wastelands.

The drug made with the whole plant has long been used in African and American folk medicine for its wound healing properties and against fever, hepatitis, jaundice, and dysentery. In Cuba traditional medicine, for gastro-intestinal pains, rheumatism, and kidney diseases. It was reported for its action against irritable bowel syndrome and for its hepatoprotective properties, lipid lowering actions, and its positive effects against vascular diseases.

The pharmacological properties of Chrysanthellum americanum are generally attributed to saponosides (such as chrysanthellins A and B) and flavonoids compounds (eriodictyol-7-glucoside, marein, maritimein…). Its essential oil main constituents are caryophyllene oxide, hexa-2,4-dienol, β-caryophyllene, α-pinene and verbenol.

  • French name Chrysanthelle
Chrysanthellum americanum