Eucommia ulmoides
Du zhong
Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as Eucommia or cassia bark, is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Renowned for its ability to strengthen bones and tendons, this resilient evergreen tree provides bark rich in latex. It is widely utilized to support kidney health, regulate blood pressure, and promote overall vitality.
- Scientific name: Eucommia ulmoides
- Family: Eucommiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Garryales, it is uniquely classified under the family Eucommiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Eucommia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Garryales | WCVP |
| Family | Eucommiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Eucommia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Eucommia ulmoides, is widely recognized across various Chinese-speaking regions by its common name, which remains consistent in its written form. In Simplified Chinese used in mainland China, it is known as 杜仲 (zh-hans, zh-cn), and in Singapore, it is also referred to as 杜仲 (zh-sg). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese contexts such as those in Hong Kong, it is called 杜仲 (zh-hk), and the same designation is used in Taiwan (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 杜仲 | Wikidata |
| pl | Eukomia wiązowata | Wikidata |
| ru | Эвкоммия | Wikidata |
| ko | 두충 | Wikidata |
| es | Eucommiaceae | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions in Asia and Europe. In the continent of Asia, its range includes Korea within Eastern Asia. Within China, it can be found extensively throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast regions. The species also extends its reach into Southeastern Europe, specifically documented in Bulgaria. Consequently, the geographical distribution of Eucommia ulmoides spans multiple diverse territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Indiana | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | New Jersey | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | New York | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Ohio | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Eucommia ulmoides, is a deciduous tree where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The bark is perhaps the most significant part used in traditional medicine, often harvested for its unique rubbery, filamentous texture. The leaves are also frequently employed in herbal preparations, and each individual leaf contributes to the plant's overall medicinal potency. Furthermore, the seeds are gathered for specific applications, with each tiny seed containing concentrated compounds that are valued in pharmacological studies.- Total parts
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 57
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 20 | ★★★★★ |
| bark | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| leaf | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trunk bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| staminate flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Eucommia ulmoides has 103 reported phytochemicals identified across 193 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aucubin, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, pinoresinol diglucoside, geniposidic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 103
- Scientific sources
- 193
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aucubin | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| chlorogenic acid | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| pinoresinol diglucoside | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| geniposidic acid | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| geniposide | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| rutin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chlorogenic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| iridoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Eucommia ulmoides has 15 reported activities identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antihypertensive, Antiaging, Antifungal, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiaging | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiallergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Eucommia ulmoides has 42 reported medicinal uses identified across 65 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, hypertension, osteoporosis, antihypertensive, antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 65
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| hypertension | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| osteoporosis | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| aging | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |