Polygonatum sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum, commonly known as Siberian Solomon's Seal, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine. Native to East Asia, its rhizomes contain bioactive polysaccharides and saponins. These compounds offer significant therapeutic potential, particularly for supporting respiratory health, reducing inflammation, and nourishing the body's vital restorative energies.

  • Scientific name: Polygonatum sibiricum
  • Family: Asparagaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Polygonatum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Asparagaceae WCVP
Genus Polygonatum WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Polygonatum sibiriacum, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Arabic, it is called عقداء سيبيرية, while in Chinese, it is widely recognized as 黄精 (including the simplified form 黄精 in mainland China). In Japanese, the plant is known as オウセイ, and in the Lzh language, it is identified as 黃精.
Language Common Name Source
ar عقداء سيبيرية Wikidata
zh 黄精 Wikidata
ja オウセイ Wikidata
lzh 黃精 Wikidata
zh-cn 黄精 Wikidata
zh-tw 黃精 Wikidata
ja 黄精 Wikidata
zh 树刁 Wikidata
zh 老虎姜 Wikidata
zh 笔管菜 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Northern Asia. In the Russian territory of Siberia, it can be found specifically within Buryatiya and Chitа. Its range extends into China, where it is documented throughout the Manchuria region. Additionally, the species is present in the Inner Mongolia area of China. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the North-Central part of the country.

Region Area Source
Siberia Buryatiya WCVP
Siberia Chita WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Mongolia Mongolia WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Polygonatum sibiricum, is characterized by its specialized underground structures that are central to its medicinal properties. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the thick, fleshy rhizome, which often develops into a swollen, starch-rich tuber-like structure. These modified rhizomes serve as the primary storage organs for the plant, housing various bioactive compounds. While the system includes standard fibrous roots that aid in nutrient uptake, much of the pharmacological interest lies within the chemical composition of the rhizome itself and the potential influence of root exudates released into the surrounding soil.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
8
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizomes 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizome 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tuber 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root exudates 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried rhizome 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Polygonatum sibiricum has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saponins, flavonoids, PSP, polysaccharide, flavonoid.

Total chemicals
31
Scientific sources
46

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
saponins 7 ★★★★☆
flavonoids 4 ★★☆☆☆
PSP 3 ★★☆☆☆
polysaccharide 3 ★★☆☆☆
flavonoid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
phloretin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(+)-syringaresinol-O-beta-D-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3'-methoxydaidzein 1 ★☆☆☆☆
4',5-dihydroxyflavone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Polygonatum sibiricum has 8 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Total activities
8
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 4 ★★☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Polygonatum sibiricum has 34 reported medicinal uses identified across 45 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include weight loss, antioxidant, breast cancer, cancer, fatigue.

Total uses
34
Scientific sources
45

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
weight loss 3 ★★☆☆☆
antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
fatigue 2 ★☆☆☆☆
immunity 2 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoporosis 2 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 2 ★☆☆☆☆
polydipsia 2 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphagia 2 ★☆☆☆☆