Saussurea involucrata
Saussurea involucrata, commonly known as Snow Lotus, is a rare medicinal herb flourishing in the high-altitude alpine regions of the Himalayas. Renowned in traditional medicine for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this precious plant is highly valued for treating respiratory ailments, boosting immunity, and promoting overall vitality.
- Scientific name: Saussurea involucrata
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Saussurea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Saussurea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Saussurea involucrata, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 雪莲 (zh), 雪莲 (zh-cn), and 雪莲 (zh-tw), while in Kazakh, it is called Қатпарлы шұбаршөп (kk), and in Kyrgyz, it is known as Оролгон соссюрея (ky).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 雪莲 | Wikidata |
| kk | Қатпарлы шұбаршөп | Wikidata |
| ky | Оролгон соссюрея | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 雪莲 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 雪莲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 雪莲 | Wikidata |
| zh | 新疆雪莲 | Wikidata |
| zh | 荷莲 | Wikidata |
| zh | 天山雪莲花 | Wikidata |
| zh | 雪莲花 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found across the rugged high-altitude regions of northern and central Asia. In the vast expanse of Siberia, its presence is documented in the Altai and Tuva regions. Moving southward into Central Asia, the species occupies diverse mountainous landscapes. It can be specifically located within the territories of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, its distribution extends into the unique environments of Uzbekistan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Altay | WCVP |
| Siberia | Tuva | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Saussurea involucrata, is a remarkable species among high-altitude wild plants that thrives in extreme environments. When harvested for its medicinal properties, the whole grass is often utilized, though the most potent therapeutic compounds are concentrated within its specialized roots. Recent studies into its biological efficacy have focused on the complex polysaccharides found within its tissues, which contribute to its significant pharmacological value. Furthermore, because of its slow growth and ecological sensitivity, researchers are exploring the cultivation of regenerated plantlets to ensure a sustainable supply without depleting natural populations.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wild plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole grass | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| regenerated plantlets | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polysaccharides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Saussurea involucrata has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 61 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rutin, syringin, flavonoids, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, Flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 61
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rutin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| syringin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hispidulin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-dehydrogamabufotalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Saussurea involucrata has 6 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Apoptotic, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Apoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Saussurea involucrata has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, altitude sickness, analgesia, anthrax, aplastic anemia.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| altitude sickness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthrax | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aplastic anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysmenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |