Chinese horse chestnut
Aesculus chinensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (21 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Chinese horse chestnut, scientifically known as Aesculus chinensis, is a deciduous tree valued for both its ornamental beauty and medicinal potential. Native to East Asia, it produces distinctive palmately compound leaves and striking upright flower panicles. Traditionally, its bark and seeds have been studied for various therapeutic properties in herbal medicine.
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Seed
- Common names
- Chinese Horse-Chestnut · Wilson'S Horse-Chestnut
- Scientific synonyms
- Aesculus Chinensis Var. Chinensis · Aesculus Wilsonii · 4 more
Names
Common Names
- Chinese horse-chestnut
- Wilson's Horse-chestnut
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Chinesische Rosskastanie
- chinesische Rosskastanie
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Aesculus chinensisSynonyms
- Aesculus chinensis var. chinensis
- Aesculus wilsonii
- Pawia chinensis
- Aesculus chekiangensis
- Aesculus chinensis var. chekiangensis
- Aesculus chinensis var. wilsonii
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae and belongs to the genus Aesculus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Sapindaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aesculus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is widely distributed throughout the South-Central territories. Its presence is also well-documented in the North-Central regions of China. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the Southeast parts of China. Finally, its habitat extends into the Indo-China region, specifically within Laos.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as the Chinese horse chestnut, utilizes various components for medicinal applications, with a primary focus on its reproductive structures. The medicinal potency is often concentrated within the seeds, which are harvested once they have reached full development. Specifically, practitioners frequently utilize the dried mature seeds to ensure stability and ease of preparation for decoctions or powders. Whether processed as individual seed units or collected in bulk, these parts are essential to the plant's traditional therapeutic use.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| seed | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aesculus chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aescin, IB, Moretenol, OLEANOLIC ACID, Saponins.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aescin | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| IB | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Moretenol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| OLEANOLIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aesculin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| escin Ia | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoescin Ia | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Aescin
- Frontiers in plant science
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Nature communications
- Plant communications
IB
- Journal of natural products
Moretenol
- Plant communications
OLEANOLIC ACID
- Plant communications
Saponins
- Frontiers in plant science
aesculin
- Nature communications
escin Ia
- Journal of natural products
isoescin Ia
- Journal of natural products
triterpenoids
- Plant communications
Medicinal Uses
Aesculus chinensis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include sports injuries.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| sports injuries | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | Journal of natural products (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried mature seeds | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |