| Sphagneticola calendulacea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Sphagneticola |
| Species: | S. calendulacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphagneticola calendulacea | |
| Synonyms | |
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Sphagneticola calendulacea is a perennial herb in the genus Sphagneticola . It is found in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan,Bangladesh and Vietnam. [2] [3] Tolerant to drought, humidity and barren environment, S. calendulacea is a common herbaceous plant in China and Taiwan. [4] [5] S. calendulacea produces wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone. [6]
In Vietnam, the leaves of the plant is sometimes used to treat infant eczema although scientific evidence is not clear.
In China and Taiwan, S. calendulacea is an ingredient in 青草茶/百草茶(a kind of herbal tea). 青草茶 is a natural drink that has been around for a long time. [7] In traditional Chinese medicine, S. calendulacea is classified as "清熱藥/Heat-clearing herbs". It has the effect of relieve fever and detoxification, cooling blood and dissipating blood stasis. [8] According to modern scientific research, polyphenols such as Wedelolactone, Apigenin and Luteolin contained in S. calendulacea can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer, breast cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [9] [10] A paper from India states that the essential oil of S. calendulacea can prevent the development of lung cancer.(2012) [11]
