B. pilosa

B. pilosa was first collected and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Taxonomically it is assigned to the genus Bidens (Asteraceae).

Bidens pilosa is a representative perennial, easy-to-cultivate herb that is widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. B. pilosa has been traditionally used in food and medicines without apparent adverse effects. Despite significant advances in the phytochemical and biological analysis of B. pilosa in recent years, comprehensive and critical reviews of this plant are anachronistic or relatively limited in scope.

The naturopathic use of B. pilosa is known in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It is estimated that this genus comprises 230 to 240 species worldwide. B. pilosa has several varieties such as B. pilosa var. radiata, var. minor, var. pilosa and var. bisetosa.

Medicinal effects (folk medicine):

All parts of the B. pilosa plant, the whole plant, the aerial parts (leaves, flowers, seeds and stems) and/or the roots, fresh or dried, are used as ingredients in folk medicine. B. pilosa is often prepared as a dry powder, decoction, maceration or tincture. In general, this plant is applied as a dry powder or tincture when used externally, and as a powder, maceration or decoction when used as an internal remedy. B. pilosa is usually ingested, but can also be used externally. For example, fresh B. pilosa is used to treat snake bites and wounds, and in Trinidad and Tobago the aqueous solution of B. pilosa leaves is used to bathe infants and children (Bartolome AP et al. 2013).

Indications: Listed are more than 40 conditions such as: inflammation, immunological disorders, digestive disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, metabolic syndrome, wounds and many others is useful (Bartolome AP et al. 2013; Tan PV et al. 2000; Pereira RLC et al. 1999).

Ingredients: To date, aliphates, various flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, aromatics, porphyrins, fatty acids and phytosterols have been identified (Silva FL et al. 2011).

However, the relationship between the phytochemicals of B. pilosa and their bioactive properties is not yet fully understood and should be a focus of future research. Some evidence suggests that the various diverse bioactivities reported for B. pilosa are reflected in its phytochemical complexity. The reported antidiabetic efficacy of Bidens pilosa requires further confirmation (Alam Fet al. 2019).

There are 230 to 240 known Bidens species.

1. Alam Fet al. (2019) Enzymes inhibitors from natural sources with antidiabetic activity: A review. Phytother Res 33:41-54.
2. Bartolome AP et al (2013) Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae): Botanical Properties, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Article ID: 340215.
3. Dimo T et al. (2001) Effects of the aqueous and methylene chloride extracts of Bidens pilosa leaf on fructose-hypertensive rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 76: 215-221
4. Pereira RLC et al. (1999) Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of methanolic extract and the polyacetylenes isolated from Bidens pilosa L. Immunopharmacology 43: 31-37.
5. Silva FL et al (2011) Compilation of secondary metabolites from Bidens pilosa L. Molecules 16: 1070-1102.
6. Tan PV et al (2000) Effects of methanol, cyclohexane and methylene chlo ride extracts of Bidens pilosa on various gastric ulcer models in rats, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 73: 415-421.
7. Xuan TD et al. (2016) Chemistry and pharmacology of Bidens pilosa: an overview. J Pharm Investig 46:91-132.