Pistacia chinensis

Chinese pistache

Pistacia chinensis, commonly known as Chinese mastic tree, is a versatile medicinal plant revered in traditional practices. Renowned for its resinous properties, it offers significant therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This resilient species serves as a vital natural resource for treating various ailments across diverse cultures.

  • Scientific name: Pistacia chinensis
  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • 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, the order Sapindales, and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pistacia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Anacardiaceae WCVP
Genus Pistacia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Pistacia chinensis, is known by several regional names depending on the specific linguistic context, though they share a consistent botanical identification. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 黄连木 (zh-hans and zh-cn), as well as 黄连木 in Singapore (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese contexts, it is written as 黃連木 (zh-hanth), which is also the standard designation used in Hong Kong (zh-hk).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 黄连木 Wikidata
zh-hant 黃連木 Wikidata
zh-hk 黃連木 Wikidata
zh-cn 黄连木 Wikidata
zh-sg 黄连木 Wikidata
zh-tw 黃連木 Wikidata
ja ランシンボク Wikidata
hsb Chinska pistacija Wikidata
zh 黃連木 Wikidata
ml കർക്കടകശൃംഗി Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several significant regions across Asia. In Central Asia, its presence is notably documented within Tajikistan. Moving toward the Caucasus region, it can be found throughout the Transcaucasus area. Its range extends into Western Asia, specifically within the borders of Afghanistan. Finally, in China, the species is distributed across both the South-Central provinces and the island of Hainan.

Region Area Source
Central Asia Tadzhikistan WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP
Western Asia Afghanistan WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP

Chemicals

Pistacia chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-carene, Flavonoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, limonene.

Total chemicals
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
3-carene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fatty acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
limonene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
monoterpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sterols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pistacia chinensis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hypoglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pistacia chinensis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include aging, chronic diseases, dysentery, gout, influenza.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
aging 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chronic diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dysentery 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gout 1 ★☆☆☆☆
influenza 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lung cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆