Goniothalamus species are used in widespread medicines for abortion, anti-aging, body pains, rheumatism, skin complaints, typhoid fever, tympanites, stomach ache and fever. The present study reviews the distribution of species along with their synonyms, their traditional usage, and correlated chemical compounds of Goniothalamus species with stress on the authentication of their ethnobotanical uses. The findings in some Goniothalamus species suggest that the chemical nature of their derivatives, such as acetogenins and styryl-lactones, may justify the use of these species against cancer in Asian traditional medicines due to their cytotoxic potential.
