Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fe55f34534767693582
Scientific name Aralia hispida
Authority Vent.
First published in Descr. Pl. Nouv. : t. 41 (1801)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Aralia hispida, known locally as bristly sarsaparilla, has a modest but documented place in North‑American folk medicine. Among the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia the dried roots are boiled to make a decoction taken as a diuretic to clear the urinary tract (Moerman, 1998). The Iroquois of the Great Lakes region prepare an infusion of the same roots, steeping them in hot water for about ten minutes and drinking the tea to soothe a lingering cough (Moerman, 1998). In the Cherokee communities of the southeastern United States the root is also infused, but the tea is valued for its ability to ease mild stomach upset and as a general tonic (Duke, 1992). A second traditional preparation, noted by Appalachian herbalists, is a poultice made from crushed fresh leaves applied to minor cuts and bruises to reduce swelling (Mills, 1995). All of these preparations use either the roots or the leaves and involve either a decoction (boiling), an infusion (steeping), or a poultice (fresh material applied externally).

A simple root infusion that mirrors the Iroquois remedy can be made at home. Place 1‑2 g of dried, chopped root (roughly a rounded teaspoon) into a cup, pour 250 ml of freshly boiled water over it, cover, and steep for 10‑12 minutes before straining. The resulting tea has a mildly sweet, earthy flavor and can be taken up to two cups daily for short‑term relief of cough or mild urinary discomfort. Because the plant contains potent diuretic saponins, it should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, and people on prescription diuretics should consult a health professional before regular use. The same herb can be prepared as a 1:5 ethanol tincture by soaking 20 g of dried root in 100 ml of 40 % alcohol for two weeks, shaking daily, then filtering; the tincture is taken in 5‑10 drops diluted in water, no more than three times a day.

Scientific analyses of Aralia hispida have identified several groups of compounds that could account for its traditional actions. The roots contain triterpenoid saponins known as araloside A and araloside B, which have demonstrated diuretic activity in laboratory assays (Liu et al., 2007). Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, along with phenolic acids like chlorogenic and caffeic acids, are also present and are well‑known for anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects (Liu et al., 2007). These phytochemicals, rather than any unverified “magical” property, are the likely basis for the plant’s ability to stimulate urine flow and soothe irritated mucous membranes.

Current pharmacological research is evaluating aralosides as natural diuretic leads for hypertension management, and the dried root is occasionally sold in specialty herb shops for its traditional tea.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Aralia muehlenbergiana Schult. Syst. Veg. 6: 704 (1820)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English bristly sarsaparilla
Russian Аралия щетинистая
Russian Аралия щетинистоволосистая
Chinese 毛楤木

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Expose seeds to natural outdoor winter conditions for 3 months, then gradually increase light and temperature in the spring.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Northern America
    • Eastern Canada
      • Labrador
      • New Brunswick
      • Newfoundland
      • Nova Scotia
      • Ontario
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Québec
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Illinois
      • Minnesota
      • Wisconsin
    • Northeastern U.S.A.
      • Connecticut
      • Indiana
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Pennsylvania
      • Rhode Island
      • Vermont
      • West Virginia
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Maryland
      • North Carolina
      • Virginia
    • Western Canada
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000257683
UNII Z5DD9I2A63
Canadensys 2683
USDA Plants ARHI2
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:89666-1
The Plant List kew-14101
PaleoBotany 34572
Open Tree Of Life 712998
NCBI Taxonomy 51236
Nature Serve 2.150091
IPNI 89666-1
iNaturalist 119825
GBIF 3037033
WisFlora 2579
EPPO ARLHI
EOL 1153788
USDA GRIN 100494
Wikipedia Aralia_hispida
CMAUP NPO8632
PFAF Aralia hispida

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Long-Term Steady-State Dry Boreal Forest in the Face of Disturbance Carcaillet C, Desponts M, Robin V, Bergeron Y Ecosystems 30-Oct-2019
PMCID:PMC7410099
doi:10.1007/s10021-019-00455-w
PMID:32831628
Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests Faison EK, DeStefano S, Foster DR, Motzkin G, Rapp JM Ecol Evol 12-Jun-2016
PMCID:PMC4931004
doi:10.1002/ece3.2223
PMID:27386099
Linking GPS Telemetry Surveys and Scat Analyses Helps Explain Variability in Black Bear Foraging Strategies Lesmerises R, Rebouillat L, Dussault C, St-Laurent MH PLoS One 01-Jul-2015
PMCID:PMC4489386
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129857
PMID:26132204
A Temporal Dimension to the Influence of Pollen Rewards on Bee Behaviour and Fecundity in Aloe tenuior Duffy KJ, Johnson SD, Peter CI PLoS One 22-Apr-2014
PMCID:PMC3995886
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0094908
PMID:24755611
Foundation species loss affects vegetation structure more than ecosystem function in a northeastern USA forest Orwig DA, Barker Plotkin AA, Davidson EA, Lux H, Savage KE, Ellison AM Peerj 19-Feb-2013
PMCID:PMC3629072
doi:10.7717/peerj.41
PMID:23638378
New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Mordellidae and Ripiphoridae Webster RP, Sweeney JD, DeMerchant I Zookeys 04-Apr-2012
PMCID:PMC3337063
doi:10.3897/zookeys.179.2583
PMID:22539896
Linking Self-Incompatibility, Dichogamy, and Flowering Synchrony in Two Euphorbia Species: Alternative Mechanisms for Avoiding Self-Fertilization? Narbona E, Ortiz PL, Arista M PLoS One 02-Jun-2011
PMCID:PMC3107240
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020668
PMID:21674062
The Mycetophagidae (Coleoptera) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada Majka CG Zookeys 22-Oct-2010
PMCID:PMC3088403
doi:10.3897/zookeys.64.553
PMID:21594022
Trapline foraging by pollinators: its ontogeny, economics and possible consequences for plants Ohashi K, Thomson JD Ann Bot 26-Apr-2009
PMCID:PMC2701764
doi:10.1093/aob/mcp088
PMID:19398446
Contrasting responses of bumble bees to feeding conspecifics on their familiar and unfamiliar flowers Kawaguchi LG, Ohashi K, Toquenaga Y Proc Biol Sci 14-Aug-2007
PMCID:PMC2279218
doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0860
PMID:17698483
How to look like a mallow: evidence of floral mimicry between Turneraceae and Malvaceae Benitez-Vieyra S, de Ibarra NH, Wertlen AM, Cocucci AA Proc Biol Sci 10-Jul-2007
PMCID:PMC2287375
doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0588
PMID:17623635
Floral reward production is timed by an insect pollinator Boisvert MJ, Veal AJ, Sherry DF Proc Biol Sci 22-May-2007
PMCID:PMC2270933
doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0445
PMID:17519188
The effects of floral mimics and models on each others' fitness Anderson B, Johnson SD Proc Biol Sci 17-Jan-2006
PMCID:PMC1560233
doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3401
PMID:16627282

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines
(-)-Isoboldine 6971182 Click to see 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Isoboldine 133323 Click to see 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Pavine alkaloids
(-)-Argemonine 442168 Click to see 355.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,12R)-15-methoxy-20-methyl-5,7-dioxa-20-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-16-ol 12305286 Click to see 325.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,12R)-16-Methoxy-20-methyl-5,7-dioxa-20-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-15-ol 3082467 Click to see CN1C2CC3=CC4=C(C=C3C1CC5=CC(=C(C=C25)O)OC)OCO4 325.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,12S)-15,16-dimethoxy-20-methyl-5,7-dioxa-20-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-1-ol 10948236 Click to see 355.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,12S)-23-methyl-5,7,16,18-tetraoxa-23-azahexacyclo[10.10.1.02,10.04,8.013,21.015,19]tricosa-2,4(8),9,13,15(19),20-hexaen-1-ol 11110561 Click to see 339.30 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,9R)-5,12-dimethoxy-17-methyl-17-azatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.010,15]heptadeca-2,4,6,10,12,14-hexaene-4,13-diol 11869664 Click to see CN1C2CC3=CC(=C(C=C3C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C24)O)OC)OC)O 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,12S,20R)-15-methoxy-20-methyl-20-oxido-5,7-dioxa-20-azoniapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-16-ol 102304441 Click to see C[N+]1(C2CC3=CC(=C(C=C3C1CC4=CC5=C(C=C24)OCO5)OC)O)[O-] 341.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,12S,20R)-16-methoxy-20-methyl-20-oxido-5,7-dioxa-20-azoniapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-15-ol 102304443 Click to see 341.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,12S)-15-methoxy-20-methyl-5,7-dioxa-20-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13,15,17-hexaen-16-ol 11823545 Click to see 325.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,12S)-5,7,16,18-tetraoxa-23-azahexacyclo[10.10.1.02,10.04,8.013,21.015,19]tricosa-2,4(8),9,13,15(19),20-hexaene 11012304 Click to see 309.30 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,9S)-4,13-dimethoxy-17-methyl-17-azatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.010,15]heptadeca-2(7),3,5,10,12,14-hexaene-3,12-diol 92856799 Click to see CN1C2CC3=C(C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C24)O)OC)C(=C(C=C3)OC)O 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(5S,12S)-5,6,12,13-Tetrahydro-15-methylcycloocta(1,2-f:5,6-f')bis(1,3)benzodioxol-5,12-imine 12304178 Click to see 323.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Caryachine 44575219 Click to see 325.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Crychine 193382 Click to see 323.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Dibenzo[a,e]cycloocten-5,11-imine-2,9-diol,5,6,11,12-tetrahydro-3,8-dimethoxy-13-methyl-, (5S)- 12300156 Click to see 327.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Proaporphines
(1'S,2S,4R)-10-methoxy-5-methylspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1',11-diol 10870351 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC34CCC(C=C4)O)O)OC 301.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,4R)-10,11-dimethoxy-5-methylspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-one 12306127 Click to see 313.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,4R)-10,11-dimethoxyspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-one 13819281 Click to see 299.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Protoberberine alkaloids and derivatives
Berberine 2353 Click to see 336.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
Tocopherol quinone 2734086 Click to see 446.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Squalene 638072 Click to see 410.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans
Cryptocaryone 10379026 Click to see 282.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives
6-Methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinolin-6-ium 2753983 Click to see 188.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Benzylisoquinolines
4-[(6,7-Dimethoxyisoquinolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol 21814573 Click to see 295.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives
Doryanin 12998814 Click to see 203.19 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives / Dihydropyranones
7-O-Methylcryptochinone A 46939685 Click to see COC1CC2=C(C3C1OC(=O)C3)C(=O)CC(O2)C4=CC=CC=C4 314.30 unknown via CMAUP database
7-O-Methylcryptochinone B 46939686 Click to see 314.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Cryptocaryanone A 10356404 Click to see C1C2C(C=CC3=C2C(=O)CC(O3)C4=CC=CC=C4)OC1=O 282.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Cryptochinone A 46939683 Click to see 300.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Cryptochinone B 46939684 Click to see 300.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydroisoquinolines
(1'S,2R,4R)-10,11-dimethoxy-5-methylspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,6'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-ol 10914050 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC34CCC=CC4O)OC)OC 315.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
Hexacosyl (E)-ferulate 5318033 Click to see 558.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
(-)-7-Hydroxyflavanone 688857 Click to see 240.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols
(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-Trihydroxy-2,3-Dihydrochromen-4-One 712318 Click to see 304.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
(-)-Pinostrobin 73201 Click to see 270.28 unknown via CMAUP database
5-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone 5748697 Click to see 298.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Mosloflavone 471722 Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O)OC 298.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 8-O-methylated flavonoids
5-Hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyflavone 21632881 Click to see 328.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones
2',4'-Dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone 9993268 Click to see 270.28 unknown via CMAUP database

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