Asarum sieboldii

Asarum sieboldii, commonly known as Japanese wild ginger, is a perennial herb native to East Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, its rhizomes contain essential oils used to treat digestive issues, coughs, and inflammation. This aromatic plant is prized both for its culinary nuances and its significant therapeutic properties.

  • Scientific name: Asarum sieboldii
  • Family: Aristolochiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Piperales, falling within the family Aristolochiaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Asarum.

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 sieboldii, is known by various regional common names across different languages. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 汉城细辛 (zh-hans), while in Traditional Chinese, it is called 細辛 (zh-hant), and in the Hong Kong dialect, it is known as 細辛 (zh-hk). In Japanese, the species is identified as ウスバサイシン (ja), and in Korean, it is commonly called 족도리풀 (ko).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 汉城细辛 Wikidata
zh-hant 細辛 Wikidata
zh-hk 細辛 Wikidata
ja ウスバサイシン Wikidata
ko 족도리풀 Wikidata
zh 汉城细辛 Wikidata
az Zibold çobandüdüyü Wikidata
lzh 細辛 Wikidata
zh-cn 汉城细辛 Wikidata
zh-tw 華細辛 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Eastern Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted within the Primorye region. It also grows extensively throughout the Manchuria area of China. Furthermore, the species is found across various parts of Japan. Finally, its geographical range extends to include the Korean peninsula.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Asarum sieboldii, possesses a distinct morphological structure where the medicinal properties are primarily concentrated in its underground components. The rhizome serves as the central axis of the plant, from which the fleshy roots extend into the soil to provide anchorage and nutrient absorption. Above the ground, the plant features a characteristic foliage arrangement consisting of a short petiole that supports each individual leaf. The most prominent visual feature is the broad, often heart-shaped leaf-blade, which facilitates photosynthesis and contributes to the plant's overall identification in its natural habitat.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 3 ★★☆☆☆
rhizome 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Petiole 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaf-blade 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Asarum sieboldii has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methyleugenol, asarinin, safrole, 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene.

Total chemicals
18
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
methyleugenol 3 ★★☆☆☆
asarinin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
safrole 2 ★☆☆☆☆
3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3,5-dimethoxytoluene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
4-methoxyacetophenone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
MDA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
POD 1 ★☆☆☆☆
SOD 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aristolochic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Asarum sieboldii has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Asarum sieboldii has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include toothache, fever, gingivitis, inflammation, ache.

Total uses
16
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
toothache 3 ★★☆☆☆
fever 2 ★☆☆☆☆
gingivitis 2 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
ache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cold 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cough 1 ★☆☆☆☆
headache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oral cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆