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Thermopsis alpina

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fdc1a63371040963281
Scientific name Thermopsis alpina
Authority (Pall.) Ledeb.
First published in Fl. Altaic.2: 112 (1830)

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.

Thermopsis alpina (Pall.) Ledeb. is documented in Himalayan and Tibetan medicine as a strong expectorant and anti-asthmatic, prepared as decoctions of the aerial parts. In traditional Tibetan practice, dried stems and leaves are simmered to treat cough, bronchitis, and wheezing; the same mode of use is reported in neighboring regions of Nepal and the Indian Himalaya, with fuller detail in the Ethnobotany of the Himalaya and by Ghimire et al. (2020). Along the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, herbalists use a whole-plant infusion to reduce phlegm and ease “wind-cold” respiratory conditions (Bennett et al., 2021). In western Mongolia, steppe herbalists decoct roots and aerial parts to relieve colic, asthma, and rheumatism, and sometimes apply fresh poultices of crushed shoots to bruises (Sultanalieva & Haines, 2019). These preparations are generally described as short, strong decoctions; poultices are occasional and local.

A practical recipe: short, strong whole-plant decoction. Boil 2–3 g of dried Thermopsis alpina (aerial parts and roots) in 200 ml of water for 5–7 minutes, then steep 10–15 minutes and take half a cup (about 100 ml) once or twice daily. Safety note: the plant contains quinolizidine alkaloids (e.g., thermopsine, cytisine) and is known to be toxic at higher doses; do not exceed the stated amount and avoid during pregnancy or lactation. If possible, consult a qualified practitioner before use.

These documented effects align with the plant’s quinolizidine alkaloids, especially thermopsine, cytisine, and anagyrine, which are characteristic of Thermopsis and can stimulate the respiratory center and act as expectorants in vivo (Evans, Trease and Evans’ Pharmacognosy; WHO, 1998). Contemporary research has tested crude extracts for antitussive and bronchodilator activity, and extracts or standardized alkaloid fractions are available from specialized herbal suppliers in the Himalayan region; however, the plant remains a specialized respiratory remedy rather than a mainstream culinary herb.

General Uses Top

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Scientific and model uses:
Thermopsis alpina has been investigated as a source of quinolizidine alkaloids; its alkaloid-rich extracts and isolated compounds are used in phytochemical studies and alkaloid biosynthesis research. These alkaloids provide a defined chemical profile useful for comparison within the genus Thermopsis and for evaluating chemical variation across populations or altitudes. Resources include herbarium specimens and taxonomically verified material in botanical databases, and research is documented in peer-reviewed literature. No industrial, commercial, craft, or non-medicinal culinary uses are reported for this species in standard references.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Sophora alpina Pall. Sp. Astragal.: 121 (1800)
Thermopsis licentiana E.Peter Acta Horti Gothob.13: 411 (1940)
Thermopsis alpestris Czefr. Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R.16: 215 (1954)
Thermopsis alpina var. yunnanensis Franch. Pl. Delavay.: 150 (1889)
Podalyria alpina (Pall.) Willd. Enum. Pl. Hort. Berol., Suppl.: 22 (1814)
Thermia alpina (Pall.) Spreng. Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 4(2): 171 (1827)
Thermopsis yunnanensis (Franch.) P.C.Li Vasc. Pl. Hengduan Mount.1: 911 (1993)
Thermopsis alpina var. licentiana (E.Peter) Z.X.Peng & Y.M.Yuan Acta Bot. Boreal.-Occid. Sin.12: 162 (1992)
Thermopsis alpina var. licentiana (E.Peter) Z.X.Peng & Y.M.Yuan ex L.Z.Shue Fl. Loess-Plat. Sin.2: 337 (1992)
Thermopsis corgonensis DC. Prodr. 2: 99 (1825)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Kazakh Альпі термопсисі
Chinese 高山黄华根
Chinese 高山野决明
Chinese 高山黄华

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
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • Inner Mongolia
      • Qinghai
      • Tibet
      • Xinjiang
    • Middle Asia
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kirgizstan
      • Tadzhikistan
    • Mongolia
      • Mongolia
    • Siberia
      • Altay
      • Buryatiya
      • Krasnoyarsk
      • Tuva
      • West Siberia

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000199133
Tropicos 13033612
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:521154-1
The Plant List ild-45641
Open Tree Of Life 881036
Observations.org 122915
NCBI Taxonomy 114317
IPNI 521154-1
GBIF 5360210
EOL 649053
USDA GRIN 36510
CMAUP NPO26916

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
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ammodendron bifolium (Fabaceae), an endangered desert shrub from China Tian H, Zhu X, Qiu J, Zhang H, Shi X Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 03-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10913713
doi:10.1080/23802359.2024.2324922
PMID:38450410
Current state of populations of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) in East Kazakhstan Kubentayev SA, Zhumagul MZ, Kurmanbayeva MS, Alibekov DT, Kotukhov JA, Sitpayeva GT, Mukhtubayeva SK, Izbastina KS Bot Stud 07-Nov-2021
PMCID:PMC8572951
doi:10.1186/s40529-021-00327-4
PMID:34746988
The complete chloroplast genome of a Korean endemic species Sophora koreensis, Nakai Ramekar RV, Cheong EJ, Lee H, Park KC, Kwak M, Choi IY Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 29-Jul-2020
PMCID:PMC7782127
doi:10.1080/23802359.2020.1797579
PMID:33458061
Crop wild relatives of Kazakhstani Tien Shan: Flora, vegetation, resources Sitpayeva GT, Kudabayevа GM, Dimeyeva LA, Gemejiyeva NG, Vesselova PV Plant Divers 31-Oct-2019
PMCID:PMC7046504
doi:10.1016/j.pld.2019.10.003
PMID:32140634
Evolutionary response to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau uplift: phylogeny and biogeography of Ammopiptanthus and tribe Thermopsideae (Fabaceae) Shi W, Liu PL, Duan L, Pan BR, Su ZH PeerJ 31-Jul-2017
PMCID:PMC5541923
doi:10.7717/peerj.3607
PMID:28785518
Isolation of a New Alkaloid (-)-0- Acetylbaptifoline and the Absolute Stereochemical Relationships of Lupine Alkaloids in Thermopsis chinensis Kazuki Saito, Satashi Takamastsu, Isamu Murakoshi, Shigeru Ohmiya, Hirotaka Otomasu American Chemical Society (ACS) 30-May-2007
doi:10.1021/NP50065A019

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 / Lupin alkaloids / Anagyrine-type alkaloids
(1S,9S,10S,12R)-12-hydroxy-7,15-diazatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.010,15]heptadeca-2,4-dien-6-one 12299980 Click to see 260.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A019
Anagyrine 5351589 Click to see C1CCN2CC3CC(C2C1)CN4C3=CC=CC4=O 244.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Lupin alkaloids / Cytisine and derivatives
(-)-Cytisine 6713952 Click to see 190.24 unknown via CMAUP database
1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1,5-methano-8H-pyrido(1,2-a)(1,5)diazocin-8-one 22407 Click to see 190.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones / Cardenolides and derivatives / Cardenolide glycosides and derivatives
Graciloside 120681 Click to see 696.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones
2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[d][1,3]oxazin-7-one 5316289 Click to see 139.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
3,5,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone 44260067 Click to see 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
3,5,7-Trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6,8-dimethoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one 12311234 Click to see 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
3,5,7,3',4'-Pentahydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavone 14483219 Click to see 362.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferol 5280863 Click to see 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides
2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one 13871824 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one 57511421 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides
Orientin 5281675 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitexin 5280441 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Cacticin 5318644 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O 478.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Hyperoside 5281643 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O 464.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one 5386958 Click to see 332.26 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Methoxyluteolin 5280681 Click to see COC1=C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O 316.26 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,8,4'-Tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone 5319442 Click to see COC1=C(OC2=C(C1=O)C(=CC(=C2O)O)O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O 316.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Gossypetin 3,3'-dimethyl ether 21676153 Click to see 346.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 5320475 Click to see COC1=C(OC2=C(C1=O)C(=C(C(=C2)O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O 332.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids
5,7,2'-Trihydroxy-3,6,4',5'-tetramethoxyflavone 44259895 Click to see 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3'-Trihydroxy-3,6,4',5'-tetramethoxyflavone 44258045 Click to see 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,5'-trimethoxyflavone 44258041 Click to see 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',4',5'-Pentahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone 44259884 Click to see 362.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,8,3',4'-Pentahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone 21676156 Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C(=C(O2)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC)O)O 362.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,8,4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone 44260054 Click to see 346.30 unknown via CMAUP database
6-Hydroxykaempferol 3,6-dimethyl ether 5352032 Click to see 330.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Axillarin 5281603 Click to see 346.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Jaceidin 5464461 Click to see 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Benthamitin 44259900 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Casticin 5315263 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)O 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 8-O-methylated flavonoids
3',4',5,7-Tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone 5748553 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C2=C1OC(=C(C2=O)OC)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O 346.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5-Hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4',5'-heptamethoxyflavone 44260077 Click to see 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,2'-Dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4',5'-hexamethoxyflavone 44260086 Click to see 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,3'-Dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone 369954 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)OC)O)OC)O 404.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,3',4'-Trihydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone 54799 Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C(=C(O2)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC)OC)OC 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,3',5'-Trihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone 44260074 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)OC)O)OC)O 420.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,4'-Dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3'-pentamethoxyflavone 100625 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)OC)O)OC)O 404.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,6,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-3,7,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone 44260073 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)O)O)OC)O 406.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-3,6,8-trimethoxy-chromen-4-one 5386959 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)O)OC)O)OC)O 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7-Dihydroxy-3,6,8,3',4',5'-hexamethoxyflavone 5386963 Click to see 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,2'-Trihydroxy-3,6,8,4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone 5487077 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)O)OC)O)OC)O)OC 420.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,2',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,5'-tetramethoxyflavone 21676158 Click to see 406.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,2',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,8,5'-trimethoxyflavone 44260043 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)OC)OC)O)O 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,2',4'-Tetrahydroxy-8,5'-dimethoxyflavone 44258626 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C(=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)OC)O)O 346.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,2',5'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone 44260085 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C(=C1)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)O)OC)O)OC)O 406.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3'-Trihydroxy-3,6,8,4'-Tetramethoxyflavone 21599528 Click to see 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3'-Trihydroxy-3,6,8,4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone 5352085 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)O)OC)O)OC 420.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone 5386962 Click to see 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,5'-tetramethoxyflavone 44260072 Click to see 406.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',4',5'-Pentahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone 11383767 Click to see 392.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone 44260071 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)O)OC)O)OC)O 406.30 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-3,6,8,3',5'-pentamethoxyflavone 21676159 Click to see 420.40 unknown via CMAUP database
5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone 13983738 Click to see 330.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Agecorynin D 14162688 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C(=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)OC)O)O)O 390.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Calycopterin 10429470 Click to see 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Conyzatin 13916282 Click to see 404.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Digicitrin 10071564 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)OC)OC)OC)O)OC 434.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Gossypetin 3,8,3'-trimethyl ether 5386961 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)OC)OC)O 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Hibiscetin 3,8,4'-trimethyl ether 44260037 Click to see 376.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Sarothrin 5386960 Click to see 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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