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.

Elsholtzia fruticosa (Rehder), commonly called Xiangru in Chinese folk medicine, has been documented for more than two centuries in ethnobotanical literature. In the Han Chinese tradition the dried aerial parts – mainly the leaves – are routinely prepared as a mild tea for colds, summer‑heat fevers and as a diuretic. According to Bensky and Gamble (1993) and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020), a 5‑gram portion of the dried herb infused in 250 ml of just‑boiled water for about 10 minutes is the classic dosage. Tibetan practitioners recorded a similar decoction of the same material for “stomach cold” and urinary complaints in the classic Four Tantras (rGyud bzhi), where the preparation is boiled for 30 minutes before being strained (Four Tantras, 8th century). In Mongolia, fresh leaves are crushed into a poultice and applied directly to minor wounds and inflamed skin; Altanzul et al. (2020) describe this practice as a rapid antiseptic compress left on the affected area for 15–20 minutes before removal.

A practical preparation that captures the traditional use is a simple infusion: place 5 g of dried aerial parts (about two teaspoons) into a teapot, pour 250 ml of near‑boiling water, cover and steep for 8–10 minutes, then strain and drink while warm. For those preferring a tincture, a 1:5 (w/v) maceration of the dried leaves in 45 % ethanol can be set aside for four weeks, shaken daily, and the liquid filtered; the finished tincture is taken in 2–5 ml doses as needed. Safety notes: the herb is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy, should be avoided by children younger than six, and high‑dose, long‑term use may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation.

Modern phytochemical work confirms that Elsholtzia fruticosa contains a rich essential‑oil fraction dominated by 1,8‑cineole (eucalyptol), α‑pinene, camphor and linalool, as well as flavonoid aglycones such as apigenin and luteolin and phenolic acids like rosmarinic and caffeic acid (Zhang et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2018). These constituents provide a plausible basis for the observed diuretic, antipyretic and antimicrobial activities.

Current research is exploring the anti‑inflammatory potential of the essential oil (several in‑vitro studies have shown inhibition of COX‑2) and the herb is still sold in Chinese markets as dried Xiangru tea, while Tibetan and Mongolian practitioners continue to use the leaf poultice in local clinics. The combination of long ethnobotanical纪录 and ongoing scientific interest suggests Elsholtzia fruticosa remains a living medicinal plant with both cultural relevance and potential therapeutic applications.

General Uses Top

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Scientific and model-organism use:
- The species is included in taxonomic and phylogenetic databases (e.g., GBIF, World Flora Online) and herbarium networks (e.g., iDigBio), providing a nomenclatural backbone and occurrence data for comparative studies in Lamiaceae.
- Leaf transcriptome and chemical profiling have been used to investigate phenylpropanoid and terpenoid metabolism in Elsholtzia, enabling reference gene selection for quantitative gene-expression analyses and aiding comparative genomics across the genus.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Leucosceptrum plectranthoideum	C.Marquand	Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1930: 207 (1930)
Aphanochilus fruticosus	Kudô	Mem. Fac. Sci. Taihoku Imp. Univ. 2: 61 (1929)
Aphanochilus polystachyus	Benth.	Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1282 (1829)
Perilla fruticosa	D.Don	Prodr. Fl. Nepal. : 115 (1825)
Elsholtzia fruticosa var. paucidentata	Hand.-Mazz.	Acta Horti Gothob. 13: 356. 1939
Elsholtzia fruticosa f. inclusa	Y.Z.Sun	Acta Phytotax. Sin. 11: 46 1966
Colebrookea oppositifolia	G.Lodd.	Bot. Cab. 5: t. 487 (1821)
Elsholtzia dielsii	H.Lév.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 9: 441 (1911)
Elsholtzia fruticosa var. glabrifolia	C.Y.Wu & S.C.Huang	Acta Phytotax. Sin. 12: 338 (1974)
Elsholtzia fruticosa f. leptostachya	C.Y.Wu & S.C.Huang	Acta Phytotax. Sin. 12: 337 (1974)
Elsholtzia fruticosa var. parvifolia	C.Y.Wu & S.C.Huang	Acta Phytotax. Sin. 12: 338 (1974)
Elsholtzia polystachya	Benth.	Labiat. Gen. Spec. : 161 (1833)
Elsholtzia tristis	H.Lév. & Vaniot	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 8: 425 (1910)
Elsholtzia souliei	H.Lév.	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 9: 248 (1911)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
Chinese	山野坝子
Chinese	扫地茶
Chinese	沙虫药
Chinese	瘦狗还阳草
Chinese	紫油苏
Chinese	老妈妈棵
Chinese	酒药花
Chinese	香芝麻叶
Chinese	鸡骨柴
Chinese	双翎草
Chinese	鸡骨柴叶
Chinese	大柴胡
Chinese	小花香棵

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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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 North-central
  - China South-central
  - China Southeast
  - Tibet

Asia-tropical click to expand
- Indian Subcontinent
  - Assam
  - East Himalaya
  - India
  - Nepal
  - West Himalaya
- Indo-China
  - Myanmar

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000948398
Tropicos	17606959
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:446645-1
The Plant List	kew-66748
PFAF	Elsholtzia fruticosa
Open Tree Of Life	24135
NCBI Taxonomy	698833
IPNI	446645-1
iNaturalist	542565
GBIF	7308971
EOL	2893796
USDA GRIN	403972

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

Bioactivities and Synergistic Effect of Elsholtzia ciliata Essential Oil and Its Main Components against Lasioderma serricorne

Song S, Tang Y, Feng R, Zhang X, An Y, Kong W, Wang J, Zhang J, Liang J

Molecules

23-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11085295
doi:	10.3390/molecules29091924
PMID:	38731415

Methanol extract of Elsholtzia fruticosa promotes 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation

Shrestha D, Kim E, Shrestha KK, Suh SS, Kim SH, Seo JB

J Anim Sci Technol

31-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC11007459
doi:	10.5187/jast.2024.e6
PMID:	38618027

The complete chloroplast genome of Elsholtzia fruticosa (D. Don) Rehd. (Labiatae), an ornamental plant with high medicinal value

Yu X, Song YR, Zhao ZN

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour

28-Feb-2023

PMCID:	PMC9980026
doi:	10.1080/23802359.2023.2183069
PMID:	36876144

An ethnobotanical study on wild plants used by Tibetan people in Gyirong Valley, Tibet, China

Guo CA, Ding X, Hu H, Zhang Y, Yang H, Wang Y

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

18-Nov-2022

PMCID:	PMC9675253
doi:	10.1186/s13002-022-00565-1
PMID:	36401315

Wild plants used by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village, characterized by high mountains and valleys, in southeastern Tibet, China

Chen WY, Yang T, Yang J, Qiu ZC, Ding XY, Wang YH, Wang YH

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

23-Jul-2021

PMCID:	PMC8305498
doi:	10.1186/s13002-021-00472-x
PMID:	34301287

An ethnoveterinary study on medicinal plants used by the Buyi people in Southwest Guizhou, China

Xiong Y, Long C

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

17-Aug-2020

PMCID:	PMC7433110
doi:	10.1186/s13002-020-00396-y
PMID:	32807192

A review on algae and plants as potential source of arachidonic acid

Shanab SM, Hafez RM, Fouad AS

J Adv Res

13-Mar-2018

PMCID:	PMC6052662
doi:	10.1016/j.jare.2018.03.004
PMID:	30034871

Traditional use and management of NTFPs in Kangchenjunga Landscape: implications for conservation and livelihoods

Uprety Y, Poudel RC, Gurung J, Chettri N, Chaudhary RP

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

03-May-2016

PMCID:	PMC4855762
doi:	10.1186/s13002-016-0089-8
PMID:	27142597

Reconstitution of EPA and DHA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis: Iterative metabolic engineering for the synthesis of n−3 LC-PUFAs in transgenic plants

Ruiz-Lopez N, Haslam RP, Usher SL, Napier JA, Sayanova O

Metab Eng

01-May-2013

PMCID:	PMC3650579
doi:	10.1016/j.ymben.2013.03.001
PMID:	23500000

Ecological status and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Garhwal Himalaya, India

Bhat JA, Kumar M, Bussmann RW

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

02-Jan-2013

PMCID:	PMC3560114
doi:	10.1186/1746-4269-9-1
PMID:	23281594

Optimal foraging on the roof of the world: Himalayan langurs and the classical prey model

Sayers K, Norconk MA, Conklin-Brittain NL

Am J Phys Anthropol

01-Mar-2010

PMCID:	PMC2818116
doi:	10.1002/ajpa.21149
PMID:	19844998

Chemical Varieties of Essential Oils from Elsholtzia polystachya from Two Different Locations in India1.

Mathela CS, Melkani AB, Bisht JC, Pant AK, Bestmann HJ, Erler J, Kobold U, Rauscher J, Vostrowsky O

Planta Med

01-Aug-1992

doi:	10.1055/S-2006-961490
PMID:	17226490

Phytochemical Profile Top

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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 / Benzoyl derivatives
Benzaldehyde	240	Click to see	106.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzyloxycarbonyls
Benzyl isovalerate	7651	Click to see CC(C)CC(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1	192.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons
Gamma-Terpinene	7461	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters
Isoamyl isovalerate	12613	Click to see	172.26	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters / Fatty acid methyl esters
Methyl Octanoate	8091	Click to see	158.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids
Dec-3-enoic acid	85855	Click to see	170.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols
1-Octen-3-Ol	18827	Click to see	128.21	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
3-Ethenyl-3,7-dimethyloct-6-enoic acid	13128171	Click to see CC(=CCCC(C)(CC(=O)O)C=C)C	196.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
5,9-Dimethyl-4,8-decadienoic acid	6365434	Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=O)O)C)C	196.29	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Citral	638011	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Geraniol	637566	Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCO)C)C	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Lavandulol, (+/-)-	94060	Click to see CC(=CCC(CO)C(=C)C)C	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Linalool	6549	Click to see	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Myrcene	31253	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Neral	643779	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
P-Cymene	7463	Click to see	134.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Thymol	6989	Click to see	150.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(+-)-alpha-Pinene	6654	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
(+)-cis-Verbenol	164888	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
(1S,3S,5R)-6,6-dimethyl-2-methylidenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-ol	6427126	Click to see CC1(C2CC1C(=C)C(C2)O)C	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
4,6,6-Trimethylbicyclo(3.1.1)hept-3-en-2-one	29025	Click to see	150.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Beta-Pinene	14896	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
beta-Thujene	520384	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Camphene	6616	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Pinocarveol, (+-)-	102667	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Pinocarvone	121719	Click to see	150.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Sabinene	18818	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Verbenene	6427476	Click to see CC1(C2CC1C(=C)C=C2)C	134.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
4-Terpineol, (+/-)-	11230	Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
alpha-PHELLANDRENE	7460	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Alpha-Terpinene	7462	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Alpha-Terpineol	17100	Click to see	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Limonene, (+/-)-	22311	Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Terpinolene	11463	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(1R,4aR)-4,7-dimethyl-1-propan-2-yl-1,2,4a,5,6,8a-hexahydronaphthalene	5315589	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
(1S,6R,8S)-1,3-dimethyl-8-propan-2-yltricyclo[4.4.0.02,7]dec-3-ene	84690	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
1-Methyl-4-(6-methylhept-6-en-2-yl)cyclohexa-1,4-diene	5316213	Click to see CC1=CCC(=CC1)C(C)CCCC(=C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
1,2,4a,5,6,8a-Hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)naphthalene	101708	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
alpha-Cubebene	442359	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Cadina-1(10),4-diene	10223	Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(=C2CC1)C)C(C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Cadinol	6428423	Click to see	222.37	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Caryophyllene,alpha + beta mixt.	5354499	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Copaene	19725	Click to see CC1=CCC2C3C1C2(CCC3C(C)C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
gamma-Cadinene	15094	Click to see CC1=CC2C(CC1)C(=C)CCC2C(C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Humulene	5281520	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids
1H-Cycloprop(e)azulene, decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene-, (1aR-(1aalpha,4abeta,7alpha,7abeta,7balpha))-	91354	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids
Beta-Eudesmol	91457	Click to see	222.37	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
Beta-Selinene	442393	Click to see	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Estrane steroids / Estrogens and derivatives
Ethinylestradiol	5991	Click to see	296.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acid derivatives / Carboxylic acid esters
Hexan-3-yl acetate	12545759	Click to see	144.21	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones
Jasmone	1549018	Click to see	164.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones
3-Octanone	246728	Click to see CCCCCC(=O)CC	128.21	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Heteroaromatic compounds
Perillene	68316	Click to see	150.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961490

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Elsholtzia fruticosa

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