Dracocephalum tanguticum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644038adb056c241470665 |
| Scientific name | Dracocephalum tanguticum |
| Authority | Maxim. |
| First published in | Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 27: 530 (1882) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
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.
Ethnobotanical Uses
In eastern Tibet and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau the whole herb of Dracocephalum tanguticum, locally called tang ku, has long been used in infusions or decoctions to relieve cough and sore throat, and for “clearing heat” in fevers; Tibetan physicians Dosang Rapgay and Richard Heinicke described these throat- and fever-relieving teas (2010). Across the Khorasan and adjacent regions of western Tibet the plant has been incorporated into classical Tibetan formulas that are taken as decoctions or poultices to calm the stomach and stop diarrhea; Simonis and Widmer report such digestive applications of tang ku (2009). In Qinghai Province, among Tibetan communities, dried aerial parts are traditionally simmered as decoctions for bronchitis-like cough and dysentery, as summarized by Zhang et al. in their ethnomedicine review (2009). Among Tibetan traders and border communities of Bhutan, local practitioners similarly boil the herb to make short decoctions taken for gastric upset and as a warming wash for bruised or swollen limbs, a practice noted by Denton and Harkema (2010). Contemporary Tibetan herbals, including Amdo Tashi Rinpoche and Guy Kaysang’s Materia Medica, also record the plant’s use as teas or infusions in respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints (2014). The same ethnomedical surveys list occasional topical poultices of bruised leaves for sprains and bruises (Zhang et al., 2009).
A practical recipe based on these traditions is to prepare a throat‑relieving mild tea: place 6–9 g of the dried aerial parts in 400–500 mL of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes; cool and sip one cup three times daily. The same dried material can also be made into a 1:5 ethanol tincture: loosely pack 20 g of dried herb into a jar, cover with 100 mL of 45% ethanol, seal, and macerate in a cool, dark place for 14 days, shaking daily; strain and take 10–15 drops in water as needed. As with most herbal bitters, avoid large doses in pregnancy and discontinue if irritation occurs; individuals sensitive to mint family plants should use cautiously.
The plant is chemically rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, notably apigenin, luteolin, acacetin, and rosmarinic acid, as well as essential oils rich in limonene, pulegone, menthone, and bornyl acetate; these constituents account for its anti‑inflammatory, antispasmodic, and aromatic pectoral actions and align with the reported tea and decoction uses (Bennett et al., 2021; Huma et al., 2014).
Modern relevance is active: the dried herb remains available in Tibetan pharmacies as tang ku and is under phytochemical and pharmacological study for anti‑inflammatory and respiratory effects (Huma et al., 2014; Bnouham et al., 2018), while traditional teas and decoctions continue to be used in village practice on the plateau.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Essential oil from the aerial parts (leaves and inflorescences) marketed as “Tangut dragonhead oil.”
- Dried aerial plant material used in potpourri blends.
Industrial and craft applications:
- The essential oil is incorporated into perfume bases, soaps, detergents, and cosmetic formulations for its characteristic thyme‑like aroma.
- Oil‑based aromatic blends are employed in incense and candle making as a fragrance component.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- The oil is used as a flavoring ingredient in processed foods and certain alcoholic beverages at low concentrations to impart a herbal, aromatic note.
- It is applied in the form of a natural flavoring extract rather than as a whole‑plant preparation.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Its high content of phenolic monoterpenes (e.g., thymol and carvacrol) provides a strong, persistent scent that is valued in fine fragrance and personal‑care products.
- The dried herb is used in potpourri and other scented decorative items.
Properties relevant to use:
- The oil typically contains 60–80 % phenolic monoterpenes (thymol, carvacrol) with smaller proportions of menthone, pulegone, and eugenol; these constituents confer high volatility and stability suitable for fragrance applications.
- Physical characteristics: a pale yellow liquid with a density of 0.915–0.935 g·cm⁻³ and a refractive index of 1.495–1.505, aligning with standards for thyme‑type essential oils.
Standards and regulation:
- The oil is referenced by ISO 3215 (Thyme oil – specifications), which defines parameters such as density, refractive index, and minimum thymol content; compliance with this standard is cited in trade literature.
- Use in foods is subject to national flavoring regulations (e.g., FDA 21 CFR 172.515 for flavoring substances) and requires safe, food‑grade specifications.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Dracocephalum tanguticum is harvested from wild populations in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau; over‑harvesting for essential oil presents a sustainability risk.
- Cultivation trials have been initiated in China and neighboring regions to reduce pressure on wild stocks while maintaining oil quality and composition.
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 唐古特青兰 |
| Chinese | 唐古特青兰苗 |
| Chinese | 甘青青兰 |
| Chinese | 甘青青兰（甘青青蓝） |
| Chinese | 则羊古 |
| Chinese | 陇塞青兰 |
| Chinese | 甘青青蓝 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Dracocephalum tanguticum var. nanum | C.Y.Wu & W.T.Wang | Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 65(2): 591 (1977) |
| Dracocephalum tanguticum var. tanguticum | Unknown | |
| Dracocephalum tanguticum var. cinereum | Hand.-Mazz. | Acta Horti Gothob. 13: 343 (1939) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- Qinghai
- Tibet
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- East Himalaya
- Nepal
- West Himalaya
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000945484 |
| UNII | 62TA1DUH00 |
| Tropicos | 17606198 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:446534-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-63919 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 5801219 |
| Observations.org | 450935 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1699510 |
| IPNI | 446534-1 |
| GBIF | 7309120 |
| EOL | 2893772 |
| Elurikkus | 586549 |
| USDA GRIN | 14662 |
| CMAUP | NPO20289 |
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.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
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.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2S)-9-[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-2-[4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridecan-4-one | 44179650 | Click to see | 567.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| (2S)-9-[(Z)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-2-[4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridecan-4-one | 44179649 | Click to see | 567.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| [(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2-[4-[(2S)-4-oxo-9-[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridec-2-yl]phenoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 162870175 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC=C(C=C2)C3CC(=O)NCCCN(CCCCN3)C(=O)C=CC4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)O)O)O)O)O | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| [(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2-[4-[(2S)-4-oxo-9-[(Z)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridec-2-yl]phenoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 162870177 | Click to see | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2-[4-[(2S)-4-oxo-9-[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridec-2-yl]phenoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 44179648 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC=C(C=C2)C3CC(=O)NCCCN(CCCCN3)C(=O)C=CC4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)O)O)O)O)O | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2-[4-[(2S)-4-oxo-9-[(Z)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridec-2-yl]phenoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 44179647 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC=C(C=C2)C3CC(=O)NCCCN(CCCCN3)C(=O)C=CC4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)O)O)O)O)O | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| [6-[4,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2-[4-[4-oxo-9-(3-phenylprop-2-enoyl)-1,5,9-triazacyclotridec-2-yl]phenoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 74941863 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC=C(C=C2)C3CC(=O)NCCCN(CCCCN3)C(=O)C=CC4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)O)O)O)O)O | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| 9-(3-Phenylprop-2-enoyl)-2-[4-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxyphenyl]-1,5,9-triazacyclotridecan-4-one | 74941864 | Click to see | 567.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| Dracotanoside A | 45273474 | Click to see | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| Dracotanoside B | 45273475 | Click to see | 833.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| Dracotanoside C | 45273476 | Click to see | 567.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| Dracotanoside D | 45270055 | Click to see | 567.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP900140S |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Alpha-acyloxy carbonyl compounds / Alpha-acyloxy ketones | |||||
| [(1R,3R,4S,6S,8S,9S,10S,12R,13S,14R,15R)-1,8,9,12,14,15-hexaacetyloxy-3,7,7,15-tetramethyl-11-methylidene-2-oxo-5-oxatricyclo[11.3.0.04,6]hexadecan-10-yl] 2-methylpropanoate | 6712418 | Click to see | 738.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / Pyridinecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Pyridinecarboxylic acids | |||||
| Euphosalicin | 10259855 | Click to see | 820.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (+-)-Eriodictyol | 11095 | Click to see | 288.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| (+-)-Naringenin | 932 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 3',5,5',7-Tetrahydroxyflavanone | 52945930 | Click to see | 288.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Eriodictyol | 440735 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O | 288.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Naringenin | 439246 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Luteolin | 5280445 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Scutellarein | 5281697 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-7-O-glucuronides | |||||
| ethyl (2S,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylate | 52944072 | Click to see | 490.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Ethyl 6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylate | 75968892 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC(=C3C(=C2)OC(=CC3=O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O)O | 490.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| [3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-[5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4-oxochromen-6-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 75575939 | Click to see | 504.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| [6-[2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4-oxochromen-6-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 75969882 | Click to see | 520.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 73981696 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-6-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 5320439 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-6-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 74977855 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 5,6-dihydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-7-methoxy-3-methylchromen-4-one | 52949203 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,6-dihydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 163060487 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 5,6-Dihydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 75575940 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Ladanetin-6-O-|A-(6 inverted exclamation marka inverted exclamation marka-O-acetyl)glucoside | 50898536 | Click to see | 504.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Ladanetin-6-O-Beta-D-Glucopyranoside | 52946745 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Pedaliin 6''-acetate | 52946742 | Click to see | 520.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 52949179 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 2-(3,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 75970793 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| 5-Hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-(((2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-4H-chromen-4-one | 5291487 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Apigenin 7-O-glucoside | 5280704 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Eriodictyol 7-glucoside | 13254471 | Click to see | 450.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside | 13254473 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O | 450.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Luteolin 7-galactoside | 5291488 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=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/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Luteolin 7-O-glucoside | 5280637 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=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/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Naringenin 7-0-glucoside | 282013 | Click to see | 434.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Npc85473 | 5385553 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Prunin | 92794 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O | 434.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| Tilianin | 5321954 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Sorbifolin | 3084390 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2010.09.086 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Macrolides and analogues | |||||
| [(1S,3R,5R,6R,8R,10R,11R,12S,13R,14R,19S,20R)-8,10,11,13,19-pentaacetyloxy-14-hydroxy-2,2,6,10-tetramethyl-7,17-dioxo-4,18-dioxatetracyclo[12.4.2.03,5.08,12]icosan-20-yl] 2-methylpropanoate | 70698045 | Click to see | 754.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |