Alstonia yunnanensis

Among the Yi, Bai, and Hani communities of Yunnan, decoctions of Alstonia yunnanensis bark are taken for fevers, cough, and stomachaches, while leaf infusions are used as a mild digestive tonic (Pei Shengji, 1991). Local herbal shops also sell dried leaf and bark for “stomach clearing teas,” sometimes combined with honey and ginger (Shanghai Scientific and Technical Literature Dictionary, 1994). Traditional practices documented in monographs record both hot water infusions and brief decoctions, and the dried bark and leaves are the parts most commonly used (Pei Shengji, 1991; Chen and Huang, 1999). In some mountain districts, bruised leaves are applied as poultices to minor wounds, though detailed accounts are sparse (Pei Shengji, 1991).

For a mild decoction, place 1 to 2 g of sliced bark (or a heaping teaspoon of shredded bark) in 250 ml of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes; strain and drink warm after meals (Pei Shengji, 1991; Chen and Huang, 1999). Do not exceed this dose and avoid prolonged daily use; avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; discontinue if dizziness or stomach upset occurs (Chen and Huang, 1999).

The plant is rich in known indole alkaloids—echitamine, akuammidine, and yunnanensine—isolated from the bark and leaves and recorded in Chinese pharmacognosy references (Flora of China, 2005; Jiangsu New Medical College, 1979). These constituents plausibly account for the observed antipyretic and antispasmodic actions noted in traditional use.

Today Alstonia yunnanensis continues to appear in regional pharmacy and folk practice as a short‑course febrifuge and carminative; modern in‑vitro work on its alkaloids and ongoing ethnobotanical surveys in Yunnan underscore its enduring relevance (Chen and Huang, 1999; Li et al., 2020).

Common products:

Industrial and craft applications:

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):

Colorants and tanning:

Wood and fiber:

Fragrance and cosmetics:

Properties relevant to use:

Standards and regulation:

Sustainability and sourcing:

Scientific/model-organism use:
Alstonia yunnanensis has been employed as a source of phytochemicals for analytical and chemotaxonomic investigations; however, it is not a model organism. Its isoquinoline alkaloids (including alstonamine and related indole alkaloids) are studied by natural products chemistry and provide a taxonomic resource for the genus Alstonia; no standardized reference-genome, community database, or routine laboratory protocol uses have been reported.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

No subvariety added yet.

No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

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

No known contributors. Be the first!

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.