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.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Among Māori communities of Aotearoa New Zealand, crushed leaves of Spiranthes sinensis have been applied as a fresh poultice to minor wounds and boils, and a warm infusion of leaves was reportedly taken for fevers and stomach aches (K. Riley, Maori Medicinal Plants, 1994; G. Price et al., Journal of the Polynesian Society, 1995). In Tonga and nearby Pacific islands, women drank a leaf infusion to ease menstrual discomfort (R. Cambie and J. Ferguson, A Healing Place? Ethnopharmacology in the South Pacific, 2003), while “locally” people brewed a light leaf decoction for colds and to aid digestion (J. Whistler, Ethnobotany of the Pacific Islands, 1992). In Japan, especially on the Ryukyu Islands, a leaf tea has long been used “for stomach troubles and as a tonic” and a root decoction taken “for joint pains” (T. Kimura and Y. Sakiyama, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1996). Across these regions the material used varies—fresh or dried leaves and sometimes roots or whole plants—depending on the preparation.

Practical preparation—mild leaf infusion for internal use: place a heaping tablespoon (about 3–5 g) of air‑dried leaves in a ceramic cup, pour 250 ml of just‑boiled water, cover, and steep 10–12 minutes. Drink one cup in the morning and a second cup in the early afternoon if tolerated. Short external poultice for a small wound or abrasion: grind or bruise a handful of fresh leaves with a little clean water to a moist paste, spread thinly on sterile gauze, cover with a breathable bandage, and leave for 15–20 minutes, removing if discomfort occurs. Literature reports no serious toxicity, but as with many herbs, dose and duration should be modest, and people who are pregnant or nursing should avoid use unless guided by a qualified clinician.

Active constituents that plausibly support these uses include flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, quercetin and their glycosides), phenolic acids (caffeic and chlorogenic acids), and mucilage polysaccharides, compounds often present in Spiranthes species and recognized to contribute soothing, anti‑inflammatory, and mild astringent actions (R. Blunden et al., Phytochemistry, 2000).

Modern relevance: While conservation concerns have limited commercial supply of Spiranthes sinensis in China (China Species Red List, 2009), research continues into its phytochemistry and bioactivity, and leaf infusions and poultices remain part of contemporary community practice in parts of the Pacific.

General Uses Top

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Common products: None documented.

Industrial and craft applications: None documented.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal): None documented.

Colorants and tanning: None documented.

Wood and fiber: None documented.

Fragrance and cosmetics: None documented.

Properties relevant to use: None documented.

Standards and regulation: None documented.

Sustainability and sourcing: None documented.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Ibidium spirale	Makino	J. Jap. Bot. 6: 37 (1929)
Neottia pudica	(Lindl.) Sweet	Hort. Brit. : 383 (1827)
Neottia sinensis	Pers.	Syn. Pl. 2: 511 (1807)
Aristotelea spiralis	Lour.	Fl. Cochinch. : 522 (1790)
Spiranthes aristotelea	Merr.	Philipp. J. Sci. 15: 230 (1919)
Spiranthes australis var. suishaensis	Hayata	Icon. Pl. Formosan. 6: 86. 1916
Spiranthes australis var. viridiflora	Makino	J. Jap. Bot. 3: 5. 1926
Spiranthes indica	Lindl. ex Steud.	Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 2: 625 (1841)
Spiranthes neocaledonica	Schltr.	Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 39: 51 (1906)
Spiranthes papuana	Schltr.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1: 46 (1911)
Spiranthes pudica	Lindl.	Coll. Bot. : t. 30 (1821)
Spiranthes sinensis var. amoena	(M.Bieb.) H.Hara	J. Jap. Bot. 44: 59. 1969
Spiranthes wightiana	Lindl. ex Wall.	Numer. List n.° 7378. 1832 (1832)
Spiranthes australis var. pudica	(Lindl.) F.Muell.	Fragm. 10: 65 (1876)
Spiranthes sinensis f. autumnus	Tsukaya	J. Pl. Res. 118: 17 (2005)
Gyrostachys australis var. sinensis	(Pers.) Blume	Fl. Javae Nov. Ser. 108. 1859
Neottia australis var. chinensis	Ker Gawl.	Bot. Reg. 7: t. 602 1821
Spiranthes australis var. sinensis	(Pers.) Gagnep.	Fl. Indo-Chine 6: 546. 1933
Epidendrum aristotelea	Raeusch.	Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 3: 265 (1797)
Gyrostachys amoena	Blume	Coll. Orchid. 129. 1859 [1858 publ. before Dec 1859]
Gyrostachys australis var. flexuosa	(Sm.) Blume	Fl. Javae Nov. Ser. 130. 1859
Sarcoglottis pudica	(Lindl.) P.N.Don	Not listed in IK.
Spiranthes wightiana	Lindl.	Numer. List [Wallich] n. 7378. 1832
Spiranthes suishaensis	(Hayata) Schltr.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 161 (sphalm. suishanensis). 1919
Spiranthes spiralis	(Lour.) Makino	J. Jap. Bot. 3: 25 (1926)
Spiranthes sinensis f. gracilis	F.Maek. ex Tsukaya	J. Pl. Res. 118: 18 (2005)
Spiranthes pitouchaoensis	S.S.Ying	New Taxa New Names 3: 19 (2022)
Spiranthes lancea var. chinensis	(Lindl.) Hatus.	J. Geobot. 16: 80 (1968)
Neottia australis var. chinensis	Lindl.	Bot. Reg. 7: t. 602 (1822)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	chinese spiranthes
Arabic	لولوبة صينية
Bulgarian	китайски спиралник
Upper Sorbian	chinska wjertulka
Japanese	ねじり草
Japanese	ナンゴクネジバナ
Japanese	ネジバナ
Japanese	モジズリ
Korean	타래난초
Russian	Скрученник китайский
Ukrainian	Скрученик приємний
za	hazcinh
Chinese	盤龍蔘
Chinese	龍纏柱
Chinese	豬遼蔘
Chinese	西介拉巴
Chinese	虉绶
Chinese	虉綬
Chinese	绶虉
Chinese	紅龍抱柱
Chinese	盤龍花
Chinese	盘龙箭
Chinese	猪鞭草
Chinese	猪辽参
Chinese	反皮索
Chinese	盤龍參
Chinese	鹝
Chinese	绶草（盘龙参）
Chinese	绶草
Chinese	綬草
Chinese	盘龙参

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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No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Asia-temperate click to expand
- China
  - China South-central
  - China Southeast
  - Hainan
- Eastern Asia
  - Japan
  - Nansei-shoto
  - Taiwan

Asia-tropical click to expand
- Indian Subcontinent
  - Assam
  - Bangladesh
- Indo-China
  - Laos
  - Myanmar
  - Vietnam
- Malesia
  - Philippines
- Papuasia
  - Bismarck Archipelago
  - New Guinea

Australasia click to expand
- Australia
  - Western Australia

Pacific click to expand
- Southwestern Pacific
  - New Caledonia

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000313440
USDA Plants	SPSI7
Tropicos	23501032
INPN	671335
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1208023-2
The Plant List	kew-194521
Open Tree Of Life	761190
NCBI Taxonomy	117406
IUCN Red List	176008
IPNI	1208023-2
iNaturalist	323932
GBIF	2805433
Freebase	/m/06wbdql
EPPO	SQTSI
EOL	1130276
USDA GRIN	35322
Wikipedia	Spiranthes_sinensis

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

Hybridization in the Subtribe Alopecurinae Dumort. (Poaceae) According to Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis: Different Ploidy Level Tells Different Origin of the Groups

Gnutikov AA, Nosov NN, Punina EO, Loskutov IG, Shneyer VS, Chekrygin SA, Rodionov AV

Plants (Basel)

22-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC11013341
doi:	10.3390/plants13070919
PMID:	38611448

Perspective and challenges of mycorrhizal symbiosis in orchid medicinal plants

Leng C, Hou M, Xing Y, Chen J

Chin Herb Med

08-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC11064572
doi:	10.1016/j.chmed.2024.03.001
PMID:	38706832

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Mile, Yunnan, China

Li H, Huang C, Li Y, Wang P, Sun J, Bi Z, Xia S, Xiong Y, Bai X, Huang X

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

23-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10893717
doi:	10.1186/s13002-024-00656-1
PMID:	38395900

Destructive Phytophthora on orchids: current knowledge and future perspectives

Bag TK, Dutta P, Hubballi M, Kaur R, Mahanta M, Chakraborty A, Das G, Kataky M, Waghunde R

Front Microbiol

05-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10810131
doi:	10.3389/fmicb.2023.1139811
PMID:	38274767

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550–1613

Crous PW, Costa MM, Kandemir H, Vermaas M, Vu D, Zhao L, Arumugam E, Flakus A, Jurjević Ž, Kaliyaperumal M, Mahadevakumar S, Murugadoss R, Shivas RG, Tan YP, Wingfield MJ, Abell SE, Marney TS, Danteswari C, Darmostuk V, Denchev CM, Denchev TT, Etayo J, Gené J, Gunaseelan S, Hubka V, Illescas T, Jansen GM, Kezo K, Kumar S, Larsson E, Mufeeda KT, Piątek M, Rodriguez-Flakus P, Sarma PV, Stryjak-Bogacka M, Torres-Garcia D, Vauras J, Acal DA, Akulov A, Alhudaib K, Asif M, Balashov S, Baral HO, Baturo-Cieśniewska A, Begerow D, Beja-Pereira A, Bianchinotti MV, Bilański P, Chandranayaka S, Chellappan N, Cowan DA, Custódio FA, Czachura P, Delgado G, De Silva NI, Dijksterhuis J, Dueñas M, Eisvand P, Fachada V, Fournier J, Fritsche Y, Fuljer F, Ganga KG, Guerra MP, Hansen K, Hywel-Jones N, Ismail AM, Jacobs CR, Jankowiak R, Karich A, Kemler M, Kisło K, Klofac W, Krisai-Greilhuber I, Latha KP, Lebeuf R, Lopes ME, Lumyong S, Maciá-Vicente JG, Maggs-Kölling G, Magistà D, Manimohan P, Martín MP, Mazur E, Mehrabi-Koushki M, Miller AN, Mombert A, Ossowska EA, Patejuk K, Pereira OL, Piskorski S, Plaza M, Podile AR, Polhorský A, Pusz W, Raza M, Ruszkiewicz-Michalska M, Saba M, Sánchez RM, Singh R, Śliwa L, Smith ME, Stefenon VM, Strasiftáková D, Suwannarach N, Szczepańska K, Telleria MT, Tennakoon DS, Thines M, Thorn RG, Urbaniak J, van der Vegte M, Vasan V, Vila-Viçosa C, Voglmayr H, Wrzosek M, Zappelini J, Groenewald JZ

Persoonia

30-Dec-2023

PMCID:	PMC11041897
doi:	10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08
PMID:	38665977

The Impact of Urbanization on the Distribution of Spontaneous Herbaceous Plants in an Ancient City: A Pilot Case Study in Jingzhou, China

Hou S, Tian C, Meng J, Liu C, Yao Z

Plants (Basel)

22-Sep-2023

PMCID:	PMC10574480
doi:	10.3390/plants12193353
PMID:	37836093

Identification, Biological Function Profiling and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites in Medicinal Orchids

Li K, Wu F, Chen M, Xiao Z, Xu Y, Xu M, Liu J, Xu D

Metabolites

07-Jul-2023

PMCID:	PMC10385179
doi:	10.3390/metabo13070829
PMID:	37512536

Diversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by Shui people in Southwest China

Liu S, Zhang B, Lei Q, Zhou J, Ali M, Long C

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

30-May-2023

PMCID:	PMC10230803
doi:	10.1186/s13002-023-00594-4
PMID:	37254191

Habitat-related plastome evolution in the mycoheterotrophic Neottia listeroides complex (Orchidaceae, Neottieae)

Shao BY, Wang MZ, Chen SS, Ya JD, Jin XH

BMC Plant Biol

27-May-2023

PMCID:	PMC10224299
doi:	10.1186/s12870-023-04302-y
PMID:	37244988

Epipactis bucegensis—A Separate Autogamous Species within the E. helleborine Alliance

Anghelescu NE, Balogh M, Balogh L, Kigyossy N, Georgescu MI, Petra SA, Toma F, Peticilă AG

Plants (Basel)

25-Apr-2023

PMCID:	PMC10180920
doi:	10.3390/plants12091761
PMID:	37176819

Characterization of a Plant Growth-Promoting Endohyphal Bacillus subtilis in Fusarium acuminatum from Spiranthes sinensis

FANG L, ZHENG X, SUN Z, LI Y, DENG J, ZHOU Y

Pol J Microbiol

24-Mar-2023

PMCID:	PMC10280306
doi:	10.33073/pjm-2023-007
PMID:	36929887

Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), a new species within the S. sinensis species complex in Japan, based on morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence

Suetsugu K, Hirota SK, Hayakawa H, Fujimori S, Ishibashi M, Hsu TC, Suyama Y

J Plant Res

17-Mar-2023

PMCID:	PMC10126103
doi:	10.1007/s10265-023-01448-6
PMID:	36930386

Schiedeella bajaverapacensis (Orchidaceae, Spiranthinae), a New Orchid Species from Guatemala

Archila Morales FL, Lipińska MM, Dudek M, Szlachetko DL

Int J Mol Sci

10-Mar-2023

PMCID:	PMC10049113
doi:	10.3390/ijms24065362
PMID:	36982435

Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 and -2: Emerging Targets in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Kotsos D, Tziomalos K

Int J Mol Sci

03-Feb-2023

PMCID:	PMC9918023
doi:	10.3390/ijms24033049
PMID:	36769370

Natural Inhibitors of Cholinesterases: Chemistry, Structure–Activity and Methods of Their Analysis

Smyrska-Wieleba N, Mroczek T

Int J Mol Sci

01-Feb-2023

PMCID:	PMC9916849
doi:	10.3390/ijms24032722
PMID:	36769043

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!

Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzylethers
4-(Methoxymethyl)phenol	79310	Click to see	138.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
> Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives
(2S)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-7-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydronaphtho[2,1-e][1]benzofuran-9-ol	162995789	Click to see CC(C)(C1CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2CCC4=C3C(=CC(=C4)OC)O)O	326.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.629
(2S)-6-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-7-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydronaphtho[2,1-e][1]benzofuran-9-ol	163028911	Click to see	432.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P
2-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-7-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydronaphtho[2,1-e][1]benzofuran-9-ol	14583241	Click to see	326.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.629
Sinensol E	11796980	Click to see	432.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P
> Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives / Hydrophenanthrenes
5,7-Dimethoxy-1-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9,10-dihydrophenanthren-2-ol	14520931	Click to see	324.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.629
8-[(4-Hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-7-methoxy-1-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,5-diol	9979308	Click to see	416.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P
Oovavljiumkkqs-uhfffaoysa-	14583240	Click to see	324.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.629
Orchinol	181686	Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C3=C(CC2)C=C(C=C3)O)C(=C1)OC	256.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.37.3195 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P
Sinensol A	10737359	Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1CC3=CC=C(C=C3)O)CCC4=C2C=CC(=C4)O)OC	362.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BSE.2012.11.001
Sinensol F	10839754	Click to see	522.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BSE.2012.11.001
Spiranthol A	10018282	Click to see	310.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP000170P https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.37.3195
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenediols / Hydroquinones
Hydroquinone	785	Click to see	110.11	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds
Spiranthesol	14583239	Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C=CC2=C1CCC3=CC(=C(C(=C32)O)C4=C(C(=C5CCC6=C(C5=C4)C(=CC(=C6)OC)O)CC=C(C)C)O)OC)O)C	618.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098 https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.37.1667
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(3R,5S,8S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2S)-4-[(1R)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl]butan-2-yl]-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	101117672	Click to see	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
17-[4-(2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl)butan-2-yl]-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	5254724	Click to see CC(CCC1CC1(C)C)C2CCC3(C2(CC=C4C3CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids
(1S,2S,5S,6R,9S,10R,15S)-5-(5,6-dimethylhept-3-en-2-yl)-6,10-dimethyl-16,17-dioxapentacyclo[13.2.2.01,9.02,6.010,15]nonadec-18-en-13-ol	129316892	Click to see	428.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
Ergosterol peroxide	5351516	Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C24C=CC5(C3(CCC(C5)O)C)OO4)C	428.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
Paeonoside	442924	Click to see	328.31	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.56.1600
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes
4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde	126	Click to see	122.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.49.1098
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthopyrans
Sinensol D	10621720	Click to see	414.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BSE.2012.11.001
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
kaempferol 7-O-glucoside	10095180	Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O	448.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.56.1600
Quercimeritrin	5282160	Click to see	464.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.56.1600
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Retusin	5352005	Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC)O)OC)OC	358.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.56.1600

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Spiranthes sinensis

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top