Rumex japonicus
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64404b7c2b9ca700718832 |
| Scientific name | Rumex japonicus |
| Authority | Houtt. |
| First published in | Nat. Hist. 2(8): 394 (1777) |
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.
Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, Bennett et al., 2021 describe decoctions of the roots for dysentery and diarrhea. In traditional Chinese medicine, the China Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) lists a decoction of the rhizomes/roots for dysentery with bloody stools. And in Japan, some folk practitioners have prepared teas of the aerial parts for digestive upset and also applied poultices of the fresh leaves to sores and inflamed skin, practices documented in Koyama’s ethnobotanical surveys from the 1980s. Across China, Japan, and Korea, leaves have been harvested as a potherb and boiled in water before eating, which imparts a distinctly sour tang.
A practical decoction for use with Rumex japonicus roots follows: place 9–15 g of sliced dried root in 600 ml of water, simmer uncovered until reduced to about 300 ml (approximately 20–30 minutes), then cool and strain. Drink in divided doses through the day. Because the plant is a laxative cathartic and contains anthraquinones, avoid use in pregnancy and in acute abdominal pain; people with intestinal obstruction or inflammatory bowel disease should also avoid it. Many practitioners limit use to short courses only.
The root is rich in anthraquinones such as emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, which account for the laxative action, and in tannins, which are strongly astringent—together explaining traditional use against diarrhea and dysentery. Constituents of the aerial parts such as quercetin and related flavonoids are known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, consistent with the use of leaf poultices on inflamed skin.
Clinical trials are still limited, but antimicrobial screening from Liao (2009) and anti-inflammatory activity by Yang (2012) have found both bacterial inhibition and relevant pathways affected. Extracts appear in some specialty herb catalogs, and in parts of rural East Asia the plant continues to be gathered for dietary and medicinal preparations.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Young leaves, shoots, and stems of Rumex japonicus are eaten as a leafy vegetable in Japan and Korea. In Japanese, the plant is known as gishigishi; the shoots are harvested in spring when tender and prepared by blanching, stir-frying, simmering with soy sauce and sugar, or as a namul (seasoned vegetable). The leaves are also consumed fresh in salads and as a vegetable side dish. In Korea, the shoots are treated similarly. All products are prepared as food; no medicinal claims are implied.
References:
Japanese Wikipedia “ギシギシ” (Rumex japonicus) – entries on uses in Japan as food.
Korean sources on Korean names and food usage of Rumex japonicus (Korean Natural Species Database; Korean Wikipedia “쇠기름나무” for R. japonicus; Naver herbarium entries).
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Rumex crispus subsp. japonicus | (Houtt.) Kitam. | |
| Rumex hadroocarpus | Rech.f. | Candollea 12: 92 (1949) |
| Rumex regelii | F.Schmidt | Reis. Amur-Land., Bot. : 167 (1868) |
| Rumex cardiocarpus | Pamp. | Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. , n.s., 17: 260 (1910) |
| Rumex crispus var. japonicus | (Houtt.) Makino | Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 8: 174 1894 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Japanese | ギシギシ |
| Korean | 참소루쟁이 |
| Korean | 참소리쟁이 |
| Chinese | 羊蹄 |
| Chinese | 羊蹄叶 |
| Chinese | 羊蹄实 |
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
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Nansei-shoto
- Ogasawara-Shoto
- Taiwan
-
Russian Far East
- Kamchatka
- Kuril Islands
- Primorye
- Sakhalin
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indo-China
- Vietnam
-
Indo-China
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001101700 |
| Tropicos | 26002530 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:697224-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-26002530 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1043328 |
| Observations.org | 129727 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 174651 |
| IPNI | 697224-1 |
| iNaturalist | 556238 |
| GBIF | 7291214 |
| EPPO | RUMJA |
| CMAUP | NPO25658 |
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)!
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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 | |||||
| Homomoschatoline | 145779 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C3=CC=CC=C3C(=O)C4=NC=CC1=C24)OC)OC | 321.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lanuginosine | 97622 | Click to see | 305.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Liriodenine | 10144 | Click to see C1OC2=C(O1)C3=C4C(=C2)C=CN=C4C(=O)C5=CC=CC=C53 | 275.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes | |||||
| (10R)-1,3,8,10-tetrahydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracen-9-one | 90929867 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C2=C1C(C3=C(C2=O)C(=CC(=C3)O)O)(C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)CO | 450.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| (10R)-1,3,8,10-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracen-9-one | 162870638 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2(C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C=C(C=C3O)O | 434.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| (10R)-1,3,8,10-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracen-9-one | 72943853 | Click to see | 434.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| 1,3,8-Trihydroxy-6-methyl-9(10H)-anthracenone | 122635 | Click to see | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthracenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Anthracenecarboxylic acids | |||||
| (10R)-1,6,8,10-tetrahydroxy-3-methyl-9-oxo-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid | 101437335 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1C(=O)O)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2(C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C=C(C=C3O)O | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| (10R)-1,8,10-trihydroxy-3-methyl-9-oxo-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid | 101437333 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| (10S)-1,8,10-trihydroxy-3-methyl-9-oxo-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid | 101437334 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| ((2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(8-Hydroxy-6-Methyl-9,10-Dioxoanthracen-1-Yl)Oxyoxan-2-Yl)Methyl 3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoate | 5315852 | Click to see | 568.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-4a,9a-dihydroanthracene-9,10-dione | 24867638 | Click to see | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysophanol | 10208 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Physcion | 10639 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| Emodin | 3220 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| Emodin(1-) | 25201450 | Click to see | 269.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 135 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O | 138.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives | |||||
| Syringic Acid | 10742 | Click to see | 198.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| Ethyl gallate | 13250 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)O)O)O | 198.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Vanillic Acid | 8468 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O | 168.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / O-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxy-2,6-Dimethoxybenzoic Acid | 22616650 | Click to see | 198.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Salicylic acid and derivatives / Salicylic acids | |||||
| 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid | 9338 | Click to see | 154.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters | |||||
| Ethyl 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate | 77547 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O | 182.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthols and derivatives | |||||
| Nepodin | 100780 | Click to see | 216.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02662162 https://doi.org/10.1039/CT9109700001 |
| Torachrysone | 5321977 | Click to see CC1=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2C(=C1C(=O)C)O)O)OC | 246.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones | |||||
| 2-Methoxystypandrone | 158739 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C=C(C2=O)OC)C(=C1C(=O)C)O | 260.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF00034A047 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenediols / Catechols | |||||
| Catechol | 289 | Click to see | 110.11 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/BPB.28.2225 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenetriols and derivatives / Pyrogallols and derivatives / 5-unsubstituted pyrrogallols | |||||
| Pyrogallol | 1057 | Click to see | 126.11 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Tetralins | |||||
| 3-Acetyl-2-methyl-1,4,5-trihydroxy-2,3-epoxynaphthoquinol | 101437332 | Click to see | 250.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Neral | 643779 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,2R,4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,11R,12aR,14bS)-1,10,11-trihydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethyl-9-methylidene-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 11705538 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5=C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 472.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| (1R,2R,4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10R,11R,12aR,14bS)-1,10,11-trihydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-9,2'-oxirane]-4a-carboxylic acid | 11526005 | Click to see | 488.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| 1,10,11-Trihydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 14055735 | Click to see | 504.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| Jacarandic acid | 13653335 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 488.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| Myrianthic acid | 182497 | Click to see | 504.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| Tormentic acid | 73193 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 488.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids | |||||
| Hydron;acetate | 21980959 | Click to see [H+].CC(=O)[O-] | 60.05 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Tertiary alcohols | |||||
| 1,10,11-Trihydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethyl-9-methylidene-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 73067961 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5=C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 472.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| 1,10,11-Trihydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethylspiro[2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-9,2'-oxirane]-4a-carboxylic acid | 72994825 | Click to see | 488.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.53.1594 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes | |||||
| 3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde | 8768 | Click to see | 138.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| Cis-P-Coumaric Acid | 1549106 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ferulic Acid | 445858 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| (+)-Epicatechin | 182232 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol | 1203 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 125528541 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
| Vitamin P | 5293655 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2007.05.032 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |