Elsholtzia splendens

Elsholtzia splendens, known locally as xiangru in China, is best remembered as a “summer‑heat” herb that is taken as a mild, slightly aromatic tea to promote gentle sweating. In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried aerial parts (stems with leaves and flower spikes) are simmered as a decoction and often served in a simple tea to help people “catch a light sweat” after exposure to damp heat, and as a mild diuretic for urinary discomfort and water retention (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020; Wichtl, 2002). Among Mapuche communities in southern Chile, Bennett et al. (2021) recorded occasional use of an Elsholtzia infusion for colds and stomach complaints, describing a fresh leaf tea taken after meals. In Japan, traditional herbal texts mention regional use of Elsholtzia leaf infusions as a stomachic and to relieve mild feverish colds, particularly in late summer (Shinoda, 1993). Across Korea, a decoction of dried Elsholtzia is also cited for urinary tract discomfort and to ease damp‑heat indigestion (Lee, 1999). The reported preparations all center on the same parts—leaves and flowering tops—taken either as a short infusion or a brief decoction.

One practical recipe is a simple mild diaphoretic tea. Use about 9 grams of dried aerial parts, add 400 milliliters of cold water, bring to a gentle boil, simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and drink warm; a second cup can be taken later in the day if tolerated (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020). For a 1:5 ethanol tincture, macerate 50 grams of dried herb in 250 milliliters of 45–50% ethanol for 10 days with daily shaking, then strain and press (Wichtl, 2002). Safety notes are modest but important: the herb is regarded as diuretic and potentially emetic in larger amounts, and traditional advice is to avoid strong diaphoretic use during pregnancy or in individuals with known kidney disease.

Modern phytochemistry supports the aromatic qualities and perceived actions. The dried aerial parts contain well‑established constituents, including rosmarinic acid, luteolin and its 7‑O‑glucoside, apigenin, eriodictyol, the phenolic aglycone tiliroside, the aldehydes p‑hydroxybenzaldehyde and p‑methoxycinnamaldehyde, and essential oils dominated by α‑pinene, camphene, limonene, and 1,8‑cineole (Lee et al., 2005). The plant continues to be a recognized material in Chinese pharmacopeias, and seasonal infusions remain common in China and parts of Korea for summer discomfort; recent research continues to explore anti‑inflammatory activity linked to rosmarinic acid, though clinical use remains chiefly traditional (Lee et al., 2005; Bennett et al., 2021).

Common products:
Essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of fresh aerial parts (leaves and stems) is the principal commercial product derived from cultivated Elsholtzia splendens. Experimental hydrodistillation of the herb yields approximately 0.5 % essential oil on a dry‑weight basis, providing a modest but renewable source of the oil.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
The oil serves as a fragrance in soaps, detergents, shampoos, lotions, perfume bases and air‑freshener formulations, where its fresh, camphoraceous note contributes a herbal accent. It is also incorporated into laundry detergents and personal‑care wipes to impart a lingering scent. In the food sector, the oil is approved as a natural flavoring in a limited range of alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverages.

Properties relevant to use:
Analyses consistently report 30–45 % 1,8‑cineole and 15–25 % camphor, with α‑pinene, β‑pinene, linalool, borneol and minor sesquiterpenes present. The oil has a density of 0.90–0.94 g cm⁻³, refractive index 1.460–1.470 and optical rotation +2° to +8°. These physicochemical characteristics give a low boiling point and rapid evaporation, typical of top‑note fragrance applications, and the composition aligns with that of many essential oils used in perfumery.

Standards and regulation:
In the EU, plant‑derived essential oils used as fragrance are regulated under the Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Elsholtzia splendens oil is listed in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (CTFA) and must be declared if sensitizers such as camphor or 1,8‑cineole exceed 0.01 % in leave‑on and 0.001 % in rinse‑off products. IFRA provides general safety limits that apply to this oil, and the substance is subject to the REACH regulation (EC No 1907/2006) when used in industrial applications.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Cultivation occurs mainly in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, where agronomic practices for essential‑oil production have been established. The species tolerates moderate drought, thrives on marginal soils and can be intercropped with other small‑holder crops, supporting diversified income. Field trials report fresh aerial‑part yields of 45–55 t ha⁻¹ and oil yields of 0.5–0.7 % (dry weight), indicating a modest but renewable source. Harvesting just before flowering maximizes oil content while permitting regrowth; regenerative practices such as mulching and reduced tillage are employed to preserve soil health.

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