Eucommia ulmoides
What's the taxonomical classification of Eucommia ulmoides?
Eucommia ulmoides belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Garryales. The plant is a member of the family Eucommiaceae and is situated within the genus Eucommia, specifically identified as the species ulmoides.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Garryales |
| Family | Eucommiaceae |
| Genus | Eucommia |
| Species | ulmoides |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Eucommia ulmoides has elliptic to ovate leaves that measure approximately 5 to 12 centimeters in length, featuring serrated margins and a distinctive smooth, coriaceous texture. The leaf surfaces are typically dark green on the upper side and slightly paler underneath. This species is characterized by its woody structure and the presence of specialized laticifers that contain sticky, thread-like latex within the tissues. The branching pattern is often irregular, contributing to a spreading or upright growth habit depending on environmental conditions. Its small, inconspicuous flowers are arranged in axillary clusters along the stems.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the subtropical and temperate mountain forests of central and southern China. Its natural range extends through provinces such as Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. It typically thrives in hilly or mountainous regions at moderate elevations where moisture is consistent. The species prefers shaded or semi-shaded environments within deciduous or mixed broad-leaved woodlands. This specific distribution pattern limits its natural occurrence to these particular East Asian ecological niches.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Eucommia ulmoides grows best in temperate climates within well-drained, fertile loamy soils and requires full sun to partial shade for optimal development.
It is a deciduous tree that is remarkably drought-tolerant once its deep root system is established in the ground. Growers often propagate it through seeds or cuttings, though young saplings require consistent moisture to prevent transplant shock. The species is highly valued for its medicinal bark and can thrive in various soil pH levels as long as drainage is sufficient.
Careful attention to its slow initial growth rate is necessary for successful long-term cultivation.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Eucommia ulmoides is utilized medicinally through its bark, cortex, folium, root, and stem. The bark and the inner cortex are the most prominent parts used in traditional practices to treat various ailments. Medicinal preparations often incorporate the folium to assist with different health conditions. Additionally, the root and the stem provide important bioactive components for therapeutic use. Each of these distinct plant parts contributes unique properties to the overall medicinal profile of the species.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", the Eucommiae Cortex of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver is used as a medicinal material to recover kidney function. This investigation identified 155 chemical components within the Eucommiae Cortex extracts. Following salt-stir frying, the contents of 19 compounds decreased while 27 compounds increased. Salt-stir fried extracts demonstrated optimal anti-renal fibrosis effects in adenine-induced model rats. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that 30 efficacy biomarkers were restored in the RF + EC group and 32 efficacy biomarkers were restored in the RF + SEC group involving five metabolic pathways.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Cortex
- Folium
- Root
- Stem
- Bark
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Eucommia ulmoides has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat ailments related to the liver and kidneys. Practitioners historically utilized the bark of the tree to strengthen the lower back and knees while promoting healthy blood circulation. The medicinal properties were often accessed by scraping the bark to extract its characteristic elastic, rubber-like fibers. These fibers were believed to assist in tonifying the essence and stabilizing the essence of the body. Today, it remains a significant botanical component in various herbal formulas designed to support musculoskeletal health.
According to a study published by "Foods (Basel, Switzerland)", Eucommia ulmoides is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The principal bioactive constituents of Eucommia ulmoides are Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharides. These polysaccharides have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The study involved a total of thirty-six female BALB/c mice that were randomly allocated into three groups with n = 12 per group. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the development of novel natural anti-allergic functional foods.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Eucommia ulmoides?
This plant has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative pharmacological activities. Its bioactive compounds work to lower blood lipid levels and help regulate blood pressure in cardiovascular models. The plant also demonstrates significant potential in preventing bone density loss and mitigating skeletal degradation. Additionally, it functions by suppressing inflammatory pathways and neutralizing harmful free radicals within the body. These diverse medicinal properties make Eucommia ulmoides a valuable subject for therapeutic research.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", fermented Eucommia ulmoides leaves (FEL) demonstrate lipid-lowering and antioxidant activities. In a study using Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, aqueous extract of FEL (FELE) was administered at doses of 128, 256, and 512 mg/kg/d. UPLC-MS identified 56 components in FELE, primarily consisting of organic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. FELE intervention significantly reduced body weight, lipid accumulation, and levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, FELE improved inflammatory markers and oxidative stress factors including TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, MDA, SOD, and CAT. The extract also restored gut microbiota homeostasis by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and modulating amino acid, bile acid, and lipid-related metabolism pathways.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-hypertensive
- anti-osteoporosis
- anti-diabetic
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-oxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds eucommiol, pinoresinol diglucoside, ulmoidoside A, ulmoidoside B, and ulmoidoside C. These specific bioactive substances are primarily concentrated within the bark and leaves of the species. The lignans and glycosides found in the plant are studied for their potential therapeutic effects on human health. Researchers often examine these chemical constituents to understand their role in traditional medicinal practices. Understanding the precise profile of these compounds helps in developing new pharmacological applications.
According to a study published by "Journal of pharmaceuticaal and biomedical analysis", Eucommia ulmoides leaves contain target compounds including iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. The recovery yields for ten target analytes from Eucommia ulmoides using water as an anti-solvent were 97.59% for eucommiol (EU), 94.91% for aucubin (AU), 96.09% for geniposidic acid (GA), 90.66% for chlorogenic acid (CA), 87.33% for asperuloside (AP), 86.57% for rutin (RU), 82.15% for kaempferol-3-O-sambubioside (KS), 89.28% for isoquercitrin (IQ), 80.75% for kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (KR), and 80.75% for astragaline (AS). The contents of these main ingredients in the leaves reach the highest levels during the period from May to October. This specific timeframe appears to be the best harvest period for Eucommia ulmoides leaves.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- eucommiol
- ulmoidoside A
- ulmoidoside B
- ulmoidoside C
- ulmoidoside D
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for managing osteoporosis, reducing inflammation, providing kidney protection, offering liver protection, and helping to regulate diabetes. Its medicinal properties are frequently utilized to strengthen bone density and combat chronic inflammatory responses in the body. Research suggests that the plant's bioactive compounds play a significant role in supporting renal function and shielding liver cells from damage. Additionally, it is studied for its ability to assist in glucose management for individuals living with diabetes. These diverse therapeutic applications make it a versatile subject in traditional and modern herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology", Eucommia ulmoides, also known as Tochu bark, is examined for its effectiveness in preventing bone loss after menopause. The study utilized six-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats that were fed a low-calcium diet consisting of 0.01% Ca and 0.3% P for 33 days. A group receiving a diet with 2% Tochu bark extract, containing 0.3% Ca and 0.3% P, showed improved bone mineral density and bone strength compared to the control group. This extract was also found to accelerate intestinal Ca absorption and resulted in higher muscle weight. These findings suggest the plant is effective for improving bone and muscle metabolism in sedentary people with back pains and/or joint pains.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- osteoporosis
- diabetes
- inflammation
- kidney disease
- liver protection
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as Eucommiae Cortex, Eucommia granules, Quan-Du-Zhong Capsule, 70% ethanol extract of male flowers, and aqueous methanol extracts. The dried bark, known as Eucommiae Cortex, serves as a foundational ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for supporting musculoskeletal health. Modern pharmaceutical developments have refined these benefits into convenient forms like Eucommia granules and Quan-Du-Zhong Capsules for standardized dosing. Scientific research further investigates the plant's bioactive properties through specialized laboratory preparations including 70% ethanol extract of male flowers and various aqueous methanol extracts. These diverse extraction methods allow researchers to isolate specific compounds responsible for the plant's therapeutic effects.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", Eucommia ulmoides is a plant native to China used in food, health products, and traditional Chinese medicine. Processed Eucommiae Cortex (EC) is a highly valued medicine that has historically been processed with ginger juice to release active ingredients and improve shelf life. This study optimized the processing of Ginger-Eucommiae Cortex (G-EC) using the CRITIC and Box-Behnken methods. Metabolomics revealed 517 chemical changes between raw and processed G-EC, specifically an increase in coniferyl aldehyde (CFA). Explainable artificial intelligence techniques demonstrated that color can be used to determine CFA content as a quality indicator.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Eucommiae Cortex
- Eucommia granules
- Quan-Du-Zhong Capsule
- 70% ethanol extract of male flowers
- aqueous methanol extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can induce antihypertensive action, apoptosis, genotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and intestinal inflammation in biological systems. While its antihypertensive action helps lower blood pressure, the plant may also trigger programmed cell death through apoptosis. Certain extracts have demonstrated potential genotoxicity, which poses a risk of genetic damage to cells. Additionally, improper use or high doses are linked to nephrotoxicity, potentially damaging the kidneys. Finally, the substance can contribute to intestinal inflammation, affecting the health of the digestive tract.
According to a study published by "Vascular pharmacology", aqueous extracts from the leaf (L) and bark (B) of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. caused concentration dependent endothelium-dependent relaxation in vessels precontracted with 1 microM phenylephrine (PE). The methanol extract of the leaf (M) had no effect on these vessels. This relaxation was abolished or inhibited by L-NAME and methylene blue, indicating the involvement of the nitric oxide synthase pathway. While the relaxation to the aqueous bark extract was not inhibited with 1 microM atropine, it was inhibited by 3-5 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 3 mM 4-aminopyridine. These findings provide the first evidence of the in vitro vasorelaxant action of E. ulmoides Oliv. that forms the basis for its antihypertensive action.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- antihypertensive action
- apoptosis
- genotoxicity
- nephrotoxicity
- intestinal inflammation
What herbs are paired with Eucommia ulmoides?
This plant is frequently paired with herbs like Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, and Dioscorea opposita to enhance its ability to strengthen the liver and kidneys.
These combinations are specifically designed to nourish the yin and tonify the essence within traditional medicinal formulas. When Eucommia ulmoides is used alongside strengthening agents, it helps to stabilize the joints and support lower back health. Practitioners often add warming herbs like Cinnamon bark to balance its properties if the patient presents with deficiency-cold patterns.
Such strategic pairings allow for a more targeted approach to treating musculoskeletal weakness and vitality loss.