Judastree

Judastree (Cercis siliquastrum L.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Classification

Scientific Nomenclature and Taxonomy

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the European Cercis, the Judas tree, or Judas-tree, is a small deciduous species of redbud in the flowering plant family Fabaceae, noted for its prolific display of deep pink flowers in spring. Within the family Fabaceae, it belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. The genus name Cercis derives from the Greek kerkis, meaning "weaver's shuttle," referring to the shape of its pods, while the species epithet siliquastrum comes from the Latin siliqua for "pod" with the diminutive suffix -astrum. The species was first formally named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, based on earlier accounts by Gaspard Bauhin as 'Siliqua sylvestris rotundifolia' (1623). The tree was recognized as early as 1585 by Durantes, an Italian botanist, and the genus was established under the name Siliquastrum by Tournefort in 1700.

Common Names and Distribution

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the Judas tree, Mediterranean redbud, or love tree, is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree in the Fabaceae family, typically reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.6 meters) in height and spread with a rounded crown. Additional common names in cultivation include "Tree of Love" (used in Spain and Portugal) and "erguvan" in Turkish. It is native to southern Europe — from southern France and Italy through the Balkans to Greece — and western Asia, including Turkey, Syria, Israel, Jordan, and extending to Iran and Afghanistan, where it thrives in woodlands and Mediterranean-climate habitats.

Morphological Description

It is distinguished by its vibrant rose-purple, pea-like flowers that emerge directly from bare branches in early spring (March to April), followed by glossy, heart-shaped leaves that turn bronze-red in autumn, and flat, purple seed pods that persist through winter. The deep pink flowers are produced on year-old or older growth, including the trunk, in spring; they have five free petals and fused sepals, a flower shape typical of much of the pea family (Fabaceae). The tree produces long flat pods that hang vertically; the flowers are edible and reportedly have a sweet and tart taste.

Common Forms and Preparations

In traditional and modern contexts, Cercis siliquastrum has been prepared and administered in several forms:

• Infusions and teas: In Syrian practices, flowers are infused in teas — such as the Unani "Zahraa" herbal tea consumed after meals — as a digestive remedy to alleviate stomach complaints and treat infectious conditions.
• Solvent extracts: Laboratory and pharmacological studies have employed hexane, acetone, methanol, and aqueous fractions of powdered leaves and flowers.
• Essential oils: Volatile components of the flowers and leaves have been characterized by headspace GC-MS analysis.
• Raw edible flowers: The flowers are eaten raw and have a sweetish-acid taste, making them a pleasant addition to salads; the flower buds are also pickled and used as a condiment.
• Edible seedpods: Seedpods are consumed raw.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Naming History and Cultural Lore

Naturalised in Britain since at least the sixteenth century, the tree carries with it one of the more unfortunate naming confusions in botanical history. The common name "Judas tree" probably arose from a misunderstanding of Arbor Judae (Tree of Judaea), which referred to its widespread cultivation around Jerusalem. By the time it reached England from France, the name had changed to something far more sinister. Gerard, in his 1597 Herbal, insisted this Mediterranean native was the true tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged himself, not the Elder as was commonly believed. In contrast to English lore, the French and Italians regarded the Judas tree with notoriety; in Friesland, tradition held it to be a favourite haunt of witches. However, the Spaniards and Portuguese took a different view entirely, calling it the Tree of Love for its ornamental beauty.

Middle Eastern and Near Eastern Folk Medicine

Cercis siliquastrum has been used across different countries and cultures not just for decoration but also for traditional medicinal purposes: in Turkey, the blossoms are used as an antiseptic; in Iran, the leaf extract has been utilized for the treatment of malaria, anemia, and stress. In Syria, the flowers are used as a component of the Unani "Zahraa" herbal tea, consumed after meals as a digestive drink and to treat infectious diseases.

In Palestinian medicine, the plant is used to treat anemia, malaria, and stress. These applications stem from ethnomedicinal knowledge documented in regional traditions, including Palestinian ethnobotanical records and Syrian medicinal compilations, though systematic documentation is sparse.

Ethnobotany Across the Mediterranean

In Syria, the flowers are part of the Unani "Zahraa" herbal tea blend, taken after meals as a digestive; in Central Macedonia, a decoction is used specifically for joint pain and rheumatism. In the Ancona district (Marche region, Central Italy) and elsewhere in southern Europe, ethnobotanical surveys have documented the tree's folk medicinal reputation; it is cited in a 2019 study published in the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine as a documented medicinal plant of that region. The flowers were also noted in western and central Anatolia (Turkey) as edible and medicinally relevant, as documented in an Economic Botany survey from 2004.

The fruits, although less well-known, have been used in folk medicine for their astringent properties, and the leaf and flower extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, valued in herbal medicine and cosmetics. In gem therapy, the buds are used to relieve circulatory disorders, and in traditional medicine, infusions of the leaves and flowers have been used as a remedy for minor ailments such as coughs and digestive problems.

Early Western Botanical Documentation

The inner bark of the root is described in historical botanical literature as an intensely astringent drug, with a reddish brown color when fresh, becoming brown upon drying, and exceeding in astringency such well-known materials as oak and hemlock. Analysis suggested the primary characteristic constituent behind this astringency was tannin.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Overall Phytochemical Complexity

Based on a thorough analysis of the scientific literature — retrieved from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, and Google Scholar — more than 100 compounds have been identified from Cercis species, including flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, lignins, dibenz[b,f]oxepins, and others. These extracts and chemical constituents derived from Cercis species have exhibited significant antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antibacterial activities.

Flavonoids

A 2025 comprehensive analysis of the flavonoid and volatile compound profiles of leaves, bark, and flowers of Cercis siliquastrum identified a total of eight flavonoids: catechin, epicatechin 3-O-gallate, epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, dihydromyricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, and myricetin 3-O-glucoside. Dihydromyricetin 3-O-rhamnoside was found for the first time in the genus Cercis, as was myricetin 3-O-glucoside.

Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside was detected in a high concentration in C. siliquastrum leaves and flowers, while catechin was predominantly found in the bark. Recent studies have isolated over 50 flavonoids across Cercis species, with myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol derivatives dominating the chemical profile. In Cercis plants the flavonoid classes present include flavonols, flavonoids, isoflavone, flavan-3-ols, dihydroflavonoids, dihydroflavonols, chalcone, and flavone dimers.

The leaves contain hydroxycinnamic acids — neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids — as well as flavonoids such as myricitoside C, and phenolic compounds.

Volatile Compounds and Essential Oil Constituents

The blossoms of C. siliquastrum contain several kinds of volatile oils, including heptadecane, nonadecane, pentadecane, linalyl acetate, eicosane, limonene, and many others. Using headspace GC-MS, 27 volatile compounds were identified in leaves, bark, and flowers of the species. Headspace GC-MS analysis of C. siliquastrum flowers reveals a complex volatile bouquet dominated by sesquiterpenes (such as β-caryophyllene) and aromatic aldehydes (such as benzaldehyde).

Phenolic Acids

Studies have reported the presence of phenolic compounds in C. siliquastrum, including flavonoid glycosides such as myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, and phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid. A 2025 study published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy further identified the major lipid-soluble components as γ-sitosterol, α-tocopherol, and phytol in leaf extracts analyzed by GC-MS.

Terpenoids

To date, 15 terpenoids have been reported in Cercis plants, including 4 monoterpenes, 2 norsesquiterpenes, 6 sesquiterpenes, 1 diterpene, and 2 further terpenoids of other types. These have been principally characterized in related species such as C. chinensis, though some volatile sesquiterpenes are also present in C. siliquastrum flowers.

Seed Polysaccharides and Phospholipids

Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) seeds contain various phospholipids, galactomannans, flavonoids, essential oils, and proteins. The endosperm contains a polysaccharide with a unique composition for a legume seed reserve. Research on the seed galactomannan structure has confirmed that hydrolysis with a mixture of β-mannanase and α-galactosidase gave a glucose-mannose disaccharide and acetolysis gave a galactose-mannose, consistent with a galactoglucomannan structure.

Dibenz[b,f]oxepins and Other Classes

The genus Cercis is noted in the phytochemical literature for the presence of dibenz[b,f]oxepin-type compounds, a structurally unusual class identified particularly in related species such as C. chinensis. Across the subtribe Cercidinae, the genus Cercis is a source of interesting specialized metabolites including 82 phenolic compounds comprising 51 flavonoids, ten terpenoids, three cyanogenic glycosides, 54 volatile compounds, and compounds from other classes.

4. Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant Activity

The antioxidant effects of C. siliquastrum extracts are primarily attributed to their high polyphenol content. Novel phenolic esters — such as ceroffesters A and B, recently discovered in the related species C. glabra — exhibit exceptional free-radical quenching abilities; in laboratory tests, these compounds outperformed standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid in neutralizing the stable radical DPPH⁺. The free-radical scavenging activity of C. siliquastrum extracts has been evaluated using the DPPH assay; the acetone and methanol fractions of C. siliquastrum leaves and flowers showed the highest antioxidant potentials, with IC₅₀ values of 8.31 ± 1.36, 4.78 ± 1.84, 1.75 ± 2.03, and 3.31 ± 1.66 μg/mL respectively, compared to the standard Trolox with an IC₅₀ of 1.41 ± 1.05 μg/mL.

Antimicrobial Mechanisms

The volatile compounds of C. siliquastrum contribute not only to the plant's pollinator attraction but also to its antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. The disruption of bacterial cell wall integrity and membrane function are the proposed, though not fully characterized, mechanisms of action underlying the antibacterial effects documented in broth microdilution assays.

Anticancer / Cell Cycle Arrest

C. siliquastrum leaves and flowers were shown to induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and initiate programmed cell death by apoptosis. Leaves and flowers hexane fractions caused cell cycle arrest followed by cell death via apoptosis/necrosis due predominantly to defects in the mitotic process.

Anti-infective / Antimalarial Mechanism

Leaf extracts of C. siliquastrum exhibit strong inhibitory activity against 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), also termed IspC. DXR is the first committed enzyme in the 2-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate terpenoid biosynthetic pathway. Since this pathway serves as the unique source of terpenoids in numerous pathogenic eubacteria and in apicoplast-type protozoa — and is absent in mammalian cells — it represents an attractive target for anti-infective chemotherapy.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition

Kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin — all compounds found in Cercis — showed moderate inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase at 1 mg/mL: 85.27 ± 0.06%, 83.65 ± 0.48%, and 82.21 ± 0.09%, respectively, compared with the reference drug donepezil (91.17 ± 0.23%).

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Antioxidant Activity

Evidence type: In vitro.
Study details: A 2019 peer-reviewed study published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, conducted by researchers at An-Najah National University in Palestine, used the DPPH radical scavenging method to evaluate four solvent fractions (hexane, acetone, methanol, and aqueous) of dried C. siliquastrum flowers and leaves. The acetone and methanol fractions of C. siliquastrum leaves and flowers showed the highest antioxidant potentials, with IC₅₀ values of 8.31 ± 1.36, 4.78 ± 1.84, 1.75 ± 2.03, and 3.31 ± 1.66 μg/mL respectively, compared with Trolox which had an IC₅₀ of 1.41 ± 1.05 μg/mL.
Evidence strength: Preliminary. All data are in vitro; no human clinical trials exist. The Trolox comparison suggests activity, but potency in these assays does not necessarily translate to clinical efficacy.

A 2025 study published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy evaluated alternative extraction methods for C. siliquastrum leaves. The hydroethanolic extract possessed the most significant antibacterial activity, and a safety evaluation of the hydroethanolic extract against human cells was performed, though published clinical data remain absent.

5.2 Antimicrobial Activity

Evidence type: In vitro.
Study details: The same 2019 study assessed antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution against four bacterial pathogens and one fungal strain. The leaf hexane fraction showed potent antibacterial potential versus Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with MIC values of 0.007, 0.024, and 0.048 mg/mL respectively. The flowers hexane fraction strongly inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA, and Candida albicans with MIC values of 0.009, 0.039, 0.048, and 0.08 mg/mL respectively.
Evidence strength: Preliminary; in vitro only. These findings highlight the potential applications of Cercis plants in the development of antibacterial agents; however, further detailed studies are necessary to identify the effective substances and their specific mechanisms.

A 2025 study in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy further characterized extracts for antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli, identifying the hydroethanolic extract as the most active preparation and performing a preliminary cellular safety assessment. No in vivo or clinical trial data exist for antimicrobial endpoints.

5.3 Anticancer Activity

Evidence type: In vitro (cell line studies).
Study details: The aim of one key study was to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Cercis siliquastrum L. flowers and leaves for their effect on the DNA cell cycle (proliferation) in a breast cancer cell line. Specifically, the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was used. C. siliquastrum leaves and flowers were shown to induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and initiate programmed cell death by apoptosis. The leaves and flowers hexane fractions caused cell cycle arrest followed by cell death via apoptosis/necrosis due predominantly to defects in the mitotic process.
Evidence strength: Highly preliminary. The data revealed significant antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of C. siliquastrum that contributed significantly to the cytotoxicity of cancer cells, but require further detailed studies. There are no animal studies or human clinical trials. These findings are purely in vitro and cannot be extrapolated to clinical outcomes.

5.4 Anti-infective / Anti-malarial Activity

Evidence type: Biochemical (enzyme inhibition assay).
Study details: Research (cited in a 2013 review of exotic medicinal plants in Iran) demonstrated that leaf extracts of C. siliquastrum strongly inhibit 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate synthase (IspC), an enzyme catalyzing the first step of the non-mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. This pathway is present in malarial parasites but absent in mammalian cells, giving it relevance as a drug target.
Evidence strength: Biochemical/enzyme inhibition only. No animal or clinical anti-malarial trials for C. siliquastrum have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature. The traditional use in Palestine and Iran for malaria and infections provided the rationale for this biochemical investigation.

5.5 Digestive and Astringent Properties

Evidence type: Traditional use; no controlled clinical studies identified.
In Syrian practices, flowers are infused in teas, such as the Unani "Zahraa" herbal tea consumed after meals, as a digestive remedy to alleviate stomach complaints. The fruits have been used in folk medicine for their astringent properties. Scientific documentation of these claims is limited to ethnobotanical surveys; no randomized controlled trials or observational clinical studies have evaluated digestive endpoints.
Evidence strength: Based exclusively on traditional ethnomedicinal use. No clinical evidence is available.

5.6 Anti-inflammatory and Joint Health

Evidence type: Traditional use; in vitro data from related species.
In Central Macedonia, a decoction of C. siliquastrum is used specifically for joint pain and rheumatism. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in other Cercis species (notably C. chinensis), but direct peer-reviewed in vivo or clinical data for C. siliquastrum in joint health or inflammation are not available.
Evidence strength: Ethnobotanical basis only for this species. In vitro anti-inflammatory results for the genus more broadly remain preliminary.

5.7 Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition (Neuroprotective Potential)

Evidence type: In vitro (enzyme assay; primarily from related Cercis species).
C. glabra flavonoids — also present in C. siliquastrum — inhibit acetylcholinesterase by more than 82% at 1 mg/mL, rivaling the reference drug donepezil. Kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin are the principal compounds implicated. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase is the basis for a class of approved Alzheimer's disease drugs. However, these data are from enzyme assays only; there are no animal studies or clinical trials specifically for C. siliquastrum in this context.
Evidence strength: Very early-stage, in vitro only.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association

• Immune / Anti-infective system: Documented antimicrobial activity in vitro against MRSA, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans; traditional use for infectious conditions and malaria.
• Digestive system: Traditional use in Syria, Palestine, and Iran for digestive complaints; flowers consumed post-prandially in the Unani "Zahraa" tea tradition.
• Oncology (investigational): In vitro cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells; purely preclinical at present.
• Musculoskeletal / Inflammatory: Traditional use in Greek Macedonia as a decoction for joint pain and rheumatism; no clinical data.
• Neurological (investigational): Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by constituent flavonoids in vitro.
• Antioxidant / Cellular protection: Strong in vitro DPPH radical scavenging documented for flower and leaf extracts.
• Skin and integument: In traditional medicine, extracts from the flowers are thought to help with minor skin ailments, including cuts and abrasions, due to their potential antiseptic and soothing qualities.
• Hematopoietic (traditional): In Palestinian medicine, the plant is used to treat anemia.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Doses

No standardized therapeutic dosages have been established for Cercis siliquastrum in any pharmacopoeia or by any regulatory body. The following dosages or concentrations appear in the primary research literature:

• In vitro antimicrobial studies (2019, An-Najah National University): The yield of C. siliquastrum fractions was dissolved in 5% DMSO at a concentration of 132 mg/mL before serial microdilution. The MIC values yielding activity were in the range of 0.007–0.08 mg/mL depending on fraction and organism.
• In vitro antioxidant studies: IC₅₀ values for DPPH scavenging ranged from 1.75 to 8.31 μg/mL for different solvent fractions of leaves and flowers.
• Traditional culinary/herbal use: Flowers are consumed raw in salads or brewed as tea (flowers infused in hot water post-prandially in Syrian practice); no quantified dose is recorded in available ethnobotanical sources.

Despite promising findings, clinical studies in humans are limited, and more rigorous research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of Judastree as a nutritional ingredient.

8. Safety Considerations

General Toxicological Profile

Cercis siliquastrum does not have any severe toxicity reports, and its flowers are edible. Cercis siliquastrum has no toxic effects reported in the horticultural and botanical literature. The Judas tree is considered non-toxic to humans and is not typically listed as a high-risk plant for cats or dogs.

The 2025 study in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy conducted a preliminary safety evaluation of the hydroethanolic leaf extract against human cells. Full toxicological data — including information on maximum tolerated doses, organ toxicity, or genotoxicity — have not been published for this species.

Allergenicity and Individual Sensitivity

Individuals should be cautious when consuming parts of it, as allergies or sensitivities may occur in rare cases. No formal allergenicity studies have been conducted on C. siliquastrum extracts.

Gastrointestinal

Ingesting large quantities of seeds or other parts may cause digestive discomfort. This is attributed to the high tannin and astringent content, as well as potentially bitter alkaloids noted in some reports.

Pesticide Contamination Risk

As with any ornamental plant, ingestion should be avoided if the tree has been treated with chemical pesticides. This is a practical consideration when flowers or pods are harvested from ornamental specimens.

Absence of Known Drug Interactions

No peer-reviewed human studies have documented pharmacokinetic drug interactions for Cercis siliquastrum preparations. The theoretical possibility of interactions exists, given that constituent flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin) are known in high concentrations to modulate CYP enzyme activity in vitro; however, no specific interaction data exist for this plant at dietary or supplemental doses. Clinical studies in humans are limited, and more rigorous research is needed to confirm both the efficacy and safety of Judastree as a nutritional ingredient.

Regulatory and Pharmacopoeial Status

Cercis siliquastrum is not included in any major pharmacopoeia (European Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, USP, WHO Monographs, ESCOP, or German Commission E monographs) as a therapeutic substance. It is not evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the U.S. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements as an established supplement ingredient. It appears in ethnobotanical and food-plant literature as a traditional edible and folk medicinal plant. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the medicinal potential of Cercis species and their potential applications in healthcare, but formal regulatory approval for any therapeutic use is currently absent.

9. Summary of Evidence Gaps

The body of scientific literature on Cercis siliquastrum as a dietary supplement or medicinal agent remains in a very early, exploratory stage. The following gaps are notable:

• All pharmacological studies identified are in vitro; no published animal (in vivo) studies exist for C. siliquastrum specifically (as opposed to related species).
• No human clinical trials — randomized, observational, or otherwise — have been conducted for any health endpoint.
• No standardized extract or defined daily dose has been established.
• The active constituent(s) responsible for antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects have not been isolated and definitively identified.
• Long-term safety data are entirely absent.
• No formal drug interaction studies exist.

A thorough investigation focused on the isolation and identification of phytochemicals in C. siliquastrum specifically was still lacking as recently as 2019, though the 2025 flavonoid characterization study represents a meaningful step forward. The overall evidence base justifies continued research interest but does not support any therapeutic or health claims at this time.

References

• Amer, J. et al. (2019). Traditional Palestinian medicinal plant Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree) inhibits the DNA cell cycle of breast cancer – Antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 27, 90–96. ScienceDirect.
• Amer, J. et al. (2019). Full text (PDF). An-Najah National University Institutional Repository.
• Spyrou, A. et al. (2025). Exploring alternative methods for producing extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties from Cercis siliquastrum L. and safety assessment. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 45, 102012. ScienceDirect.
• Moghaddam, M., Stegemann, T., & Zidorn, C. (2025). Flavonoids and volatile compounds of Cercis siliquastrum (Fabaceae, Cercideae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 120, 104954. ScienceDirect.
• Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Genus Cercis: A Review (2024). Records of Natural Products, 18(4), 380–392. ACG Publications.
• Sun et al. (2025). Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Anti-inflammatory/Analgesic Effects of Cercis chinensis: A Comprehensive Review. Chemistry & Biodiversity. Wiley Online Library.
• Sun et al. (2025). PubMed abstract: Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Anti-inflammatory/Analgesic Effects of Cercis chinensis. PubMed/NCBI.
• Natural Antioxidants, Tyrosinase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors from Cercis glabra Leaves. PMC / PubMed Central.
• The Traditional and Modern Uses of Judas Tree. EatWeeds.co.uk (with referenced ethnobotanical citations).
• Cercis siliquastrum — Grokipedia (encyclopedic summary with source citations).
• Cercis siliquastrum. Wikipedia (botanical overview).
• Cercis. Red Bud. Henriette's Herbal Homepage (Eclectic/historical botanical literature).
• Cercis siliquastrum. Plants for a Future (PFAF) Plant Database.
• Cercis siliquastrum. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
• Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum). Edible Plant Database.
• Essential Oil Content and Constituents of Cercis siliquastrum L. Growing in Iran. ResearchGate.
• Exotic Medicinal Plants Growing in Iran: A Systematic and Pharmacological Review. ResearchGate/Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine.