Rubia tibetica
Rubia tibetica, commonly known as Tibetan Madder, is a perennial herb native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Valued in traditional medicine, its roots contain bioactive compounds used to treat inflammation, skin conditions, and blood circulation issues. This resilient plant remains a vital component of regional herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Rubia tibetica
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further categorized into the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Rubia and the species name Rubia tibetica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rubia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Rubia tibetica, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic context. In Chinese, it is widely recognized as 西藏茜草 (zh), 西藏茜草 (zh-hans), and 西藏茜草 (zh-cn), while it is also commonly called 小红藤 (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 西藏茜草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 西藏茜草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 西藏茜草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 小红藤 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Central and Western Asia. In Central Asia, its presence is specifically noted in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Moving toward Western Asia, the species can be found within the borders of Afghanistan. The distribution also extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Additionally, it is documented to grow within the Xinjiang province of China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| China | Xinjiang | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rubia tibetica, is a medicinal species where the primary part utilized for therapeutic purposes is its roots. These roots are harvested and processed to extract various bioactive compounds that contribute to its traditional healing properties. In many applications, the root system serves as the concentrated source of the plant's medicinal potency, making it the most essential component for pharmacological use.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rubia tibetica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthraquinones.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rubia tibetica has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anaphylaxis.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anaphylaxis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |