Cibotium barometz

Cibotium barometz, commonly known as the Devil's Claw or Konjac, is a unique medicinal plant prized in traditional Asian medicine. Renowned for its tuberous rhizome, it is frequently used to treat inflammatory conditions, bolster circulation, and manage pain, offering a fascinating intersection of botanical curiosity and therapeutic potential.

  • Scientific name: Cibotium barometz
  • Family: Cyatheaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Polypodiinae, it is ordered under Cyatheales and placed in the family Cyatheaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Cibotium.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Polypodiinae WCVP
Order Cyatheales WCVP
Family Cyatheaceae WCVP
Genus Cibotium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Cibotium barometz, is recognized by various local names across different regions. In Nan Chinese, it is referred to as Káu-chit, while in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and the Hong Kong dialect, it is commonly called 金狗毛蕨. Additionally, in Indonesian, the plant is known as Penawar jambi.
Language Common Name Source
nan Káu-chit Wikidata
zh-hans 金狗毛蕨 Wikidata
zh-hant 金狗毛蕨 Wikidata
zh-hk 金狗毛蕨 Wikidata
id Penawar jambi Wikidata
vi Cẩu tích Wikidata
ms Ayam mas Wikidata
min Paku simpai Wikidata
zh 金狗毛蕨 Wikidata
th ว่านลูกไก่ทอง Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the island of Hainan. Its distribution also extends into the China Southeast region and reaches the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Beyond mainland China, the species is located within the Nansei-shoto islands of Eastern Asia. Together, these locations define the specific ecological range where the species thrives.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known for its unique medicinal properties, is characterized by its distinct morphological features. The most significant part used in traditional practices is the rhizome, which is highly valued for its specific therapeutic qualities. Often, the medicinal preparations involve using dried rhizome slices to ensure precise dosing. In some botanical descriptions, the underground structure may be referred to as a rhizoma, while the collective presence of these rhizomes provides the plant's primary active compounds. Above the ground, the plant also features green leaves that contribute to its overall biological structure.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizome 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizomes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizome slices 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cibotium barometz has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, apigenin, apigenin-7-glucoside, eriodictyol.

Total chemicals
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
(-)-catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
(-)-epicatechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin-7-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
eriodictyol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
naringenin chalcone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
naringenin-7-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
vitexin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cibotium barometz has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cibotium barometz has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric ulcer, osteoporosis, pain, post-menopausal osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
gastric ulcer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoporosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
post-menopausal osteoporosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
postmenopausal osteoporosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
prostate cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆