Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum heterotropoides, commonly known as a rare medicinal herb, belongs to the ginger family. Native to specific forest ecosystems, this plant is valued for its unique phytochemical properties. Researchers study its bioactive compounds for potential therapeutic applications, particularly in traditional medicine, to explore its diverse pharmacological benefits and healing qualities.
- Scientific name: Asarum heterotropoides
- Family: Aristolochiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Piperales, falling into the family Aristolochiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Asarum, and its specific species name, Asarum hetero tropeoides.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Aristolochiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Asarum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Asarum heterotropoides, is known by several different names depending on the language and regional script used. In Chinese, it is referred to as 库页细辛 (zh), 库页细辛 (zh-hans), and 庫頁細辛 (zh-cn), while the traditional Chinese designation used in Taiwan is 庫頁細辛 (zh-tw). Additionally, in Japanese, the species is commonly called オクエゾサイシン (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 库页细辛 | Wikidata |
| ja | オクエゾサイシン | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 库页细辛 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 庫頁細辛 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 庫頁細辛 | Wikidata |
| zh | 细辛 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its distribution includes the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, and the Primorye region. Moving into China, the species can be found within the territory of Manchuria. Additionally, it extends into the China North-Central area. Together, these locations define the unique geographical footprint of Asarum heterotropoides.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Asarum heteroamides (often referred to in botanical contexts related to Asarum heterophyllum), is valued for the specific medicinal properties found within its underground structures. The primary therapeutic components are derived from the rhizomes and the root system, which are harvested and processed into dry roots for various herbal applications. Within these structures, the plant stores significant amounts of essential oil, which contains the active volatile compounds necessary for its medicinal efficacy. Furthermore, the chemical profile of the plant is supported by its leaf tissues, though the most potent medicinal concentrations are concentrated in the subterranean parts.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Asarum heterotropoides has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aristolochic acid, Asarinin, aristolactam I, aristolochic acid D, aristolochic acid I.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aristolochic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Asarinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aristolactam I | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aristolochic acid D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aristolochic acid I | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asarinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| farnesyl pyrophosphate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geranyl pyrophosphate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Asarum heterotropoides has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Toxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Asarum heterotropoides has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alzheimer's disease, bronchial spasm, cardiovascular disease, headaches.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchial spasm | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headaches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |