Rhus chinensis
Rhus chinensis, commonly known as Chinese sumac, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional practices. Rich in organic acids and antioxidants, its bark and fruits are utilized to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and respiratory ailments. This potent botanical offers significant therapeutic potential for various holistic healing applications.
- Scientific name: Rhus chinensis
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Rhus chinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Rhus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rhus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Rhus chinensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Simplified Chinese, it is identified as 盐肤木 (zh-hans) and 盐肤木 (zh-cn), which is also the standard designation used in Singapore (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese contexts, such as in Taiwan, it is called 鹽膚木 (zh-hant), while in Hong Kong, it is specifically known as 鹽膚木 (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 盐肤木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 鹽膚木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 鹽膚木 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 盐肤木 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 盐肤木 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 鹽膚木 | Wikidata |
| ja | ヌルデ | Wikidata |
| ko | 붉나무 | Wikidata |
| ru | Сумах китайский | Wikidata |
| ne | भक्मिलो | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple significant regions. In Western Asia, it can be found growing within the borders of Türkiye. Its distribution within China is particularly extensive, covering the South-Central provinces. Additionally, the species is present in the tropical landscape of Hainan. Finally, its reach extends to the North-Central and Southeast regions of China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Asia | Türkiye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Chinese Sumac, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized in traditional practices. The woody stem provides the structural framework for the shrub, while the roots serve as the foundational anchor and nutrient absorber within the soil. Most notably, the medicinal value is often associated with the fruit, which consists of small, fleshy drupes. Interestingly, the plant is also known to host specific galls on Rhus chinensis leaves, which are abnormal growths caused by insects or pathogens; these galls are sometimes collected and used in specialized herbal preparations.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galls on Rhus chinensis leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aboveground tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Galla chinensis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rhus chinensis has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include tannins, gallic acid, As, Flavonoids, Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fluoride | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galloyl-HHDP-glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rhus chinensis has 6 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rhus chinensis has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV-1, diarrhea, inflammation, Ralstonia solanacearum, diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HIV-1 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ralstonia solanacearum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gouty arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sepsis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |