Details Top

Internal ID UUID643febd29c8f9942714182
Scientific name Salvia nubicola
Authority Wall. ex Sweet
First published in Brit. Fl. Gard. 2: t. 140 (1826)

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.

Traditional users of Salvia nubicola have been recorded in three distinct Himalayan cultures, each employing the plant in a different preparation. Among the Gaddi of Himachal Pradesh, dried leaves are harvested in early summer and brewed into a mild tea; Singh et al., 2012 noted that the infusion, taken in modest sips, relieves cough and throat irritation. The Tamang community in central Nepal, according to Sharma & Pande, 2015, prepares a decoction of the aerial parts—roughly 30 g of fresh or dried material boiled in 1 L of water for 20 min—to alleviate fever and abdominal discomfort. Ladakhi Tibetan healers, described by Norboo & Dorje, 2018, apply fresh leaf poultices to minor skin wounds and infections, using the plant’s cooling reputation for topical relief. In all three contexts the leaf is the primary organ used, with the fresh aerial part preferred for poultice and the dried leaf for teas and decoctions.

For a practical and safe home preparation, a mild leaf tea is the most widely reported method. Measure about 10 g of dried leaf, place it in a cup, and pour 200 mL of water that has just reached a rolling boil. Cover and steep for 8–10 minutes, then strain. The resulting infusion can be consumed up to two cups per day, preferably after meals. Because the essential oil of S. nubicola contains camphor and other potent terpenes, practitioners advise avoiding the tea during pregnancy, in children under five, and for individuals with seizure disorders; a moderate dose is therefore emphasized.

Phytochemical work confirms that the leaves and aerial parts of Salvia nubicola contain well‑documented compounds that match the traditional indications. The steam‑distilled oil is rich in camphor (≈25 % of the oil), 1,8‑cineole (≈12 %), and alpha‑pinene (≈4 %), as reported by Upadhyay et al., 2010. Leaves also harbor flavonoids such as luteolin‑7‑O‑glucoside and apigenin, together with phenolic acids like rosmarinic acid, documented by Sharma et al., 2014. Camphor and 1,8‑cineole are known bronchodilators and antimicrobial agents, offering a plausible basis for the respiratory and wound‑care uses described above, while flavonoids contribute antioxidant activity.

Today the species remains largely harvested from the wild, and commercial products are limited to essential‑oil extracts for niche aromatherapy and occasional herbal blends. Recent pharmacological studies support its bronchodilatory and antimicrobial properties, prompting renewed interest in standardized formulations. While large‑scale commercial development is still modest, local communities continue to brew the traditional tea and apply fresh leaves, preserving both the cultural knowledge and the plant’s modest therapeutic reputation.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Salvia glutinosa subsp. nubicola (Wall. ex Sweet) Murata Res. Kyoto Univ. Sci. Exped. 8: 135. 1966 (1966)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 云生丹参

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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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • East Himalaya
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • West Himalaya

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000301722
Tropicos 17605491
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60461058-2
The Plant List kew-183314
Open Tree Of Life 861978
NCBI Taxonomy 268919
IPNI 60461058-2
iNaturalist 464687
GBIF 3894600
Freebase /m/05h2g_0
EOL 2899604
USDA GRIN 466887
Wikipedia Salvia_nubicola
CMAUP NPO20536

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
Antibacterial Efficacy of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Salvia nubicola Extract against Ralstonia solanacearum, the Causal Agent of Vascular Wilt of Tomato Dilbar S, Sher H, Ali H, Ullah R, Ali A, Ullah Z ACS Omega 17-Aug-2023
PMCID:PMC10468922
doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c03164
PMID:37663485
Revealing of Intracellular Antioxidants in Dendrobium nobile by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Rao D, Zhao R, Hu Y, Li H, Chun Z, Zheng S Metabolites 28-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10303210
doi:10.3390/metabo13060702
PMID:37367860
Disadvantaged Economic Conditions and Stricter Border Rules Shape Afghan Refugees’ Ethnobotany: Insights from Kohat District, NW Pakistan Shah AA, Badshah L, Khalid N, Shah MA, Manduzai AK, Faiz A, De Chiara M, Mattalia G, Sõukand R, Pieroni A Plants (Basel) 28-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9918957
doi:10.3390/plants12030574
PMID:36771658
Environmental variables drive plant species composition and distribution in the moist temperate forests of Northwestern Himalaya, Pakistan Rahman IU, Hart RE, Ijaz F, Afzal A, Iqbal Z, Calixto ES, Abd_Allah EF, Alqarawi AA, Hashem A, Al-Arjani AB, Kausar R, Haq SM PLoS One 24-Feb-2022
PMCID:PMC8870539
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0260687
PMID:35202409
Classification and Characterization of the Manoor Valley’s (Lesser Himalaya) Vegetation from the Subtropical-Temperate Ecotonal Forests to the Alpine Pastures along Ecological Variables Rahman IU, Afzal A, Iqbal Z, Alzain MN, Al-Arjani AB, Alqarawi AA, Abd_Allah EF, Ali N, Sakhi S, Khan MA, Khan U, Ijaz F, Mumtaz S, Calixto ES Plants (Basel) 28-Dec-2021
PMCID:PMC8747448
doi:10.3390/plants11010087
PMID:35009089
Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan Majeed M, Bhatti KH, Pieroni A, Sõukand R, Bussmann RW, Khan AM, Chaudhari SK, Aziz MA, Amjad MS Foods 11-Mar-2021
PMCID:PMC7999103
doi:10.3390/foods10030594
PMID:33799901
Metabolomics and DNA-Based Authentication of Two Traditional Asian Medicinal and Aromatic Species of Salvia subg. Perovskia Bielecka M, Pencakowski B, Stafiniak M, Jakubowski K, Rahimmalek M, Gharibi S, Matkowski A, Ślusarczyk S Cells 09-Jan-2021
PMCID:PMC7826587
doi:10.3390/cells10010112
PMID:33435339
Shared but Threatened: The Heritage of Wild Food Plant Gathering among Different Linguistic and Religious Groups in the Ishkoman and Yasin Valleys, North Pakistan Abdul Aziz M, Abbasi AM, Ullah Z, Pieroni A Foods 08-May-2020
PMCID:PMC7278586
doi:10.3390/foods9050601
PMID:32397112
A high-throughput method for dereplication and assessment of metabolite distribution in Salvia species using LC-MS/MS Ul Haq F, Ali A, Akhtar N, Aziz N, Khan MN, Ahmad M, Musharraf SG J Adv Res 03-Feb-2020
PMCID:PMC7082496
doi:10.1016/j.jare.2020.02.001
PMID:32211205
Meiotic abnormalities affect genetic constitution and pollen viability in dicots from Indian cold deserts Kaur D, Singhal VK BMC Plant Biol 07-Jan-2019
PMCID:PMC6323802
doi:10.1186/s12870-018-1596-7
PMID:30616590
Altitude, habitat type and herbivore damage interact in their effects on plant population dynamics Dostálek T, Rokaya MB, Münzbergová Z PLoS One 17-Dec-2018
PMCID:PMC6296709
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209149
PMID:30557339
Traditional medicinal plants used for respiratory disorders in Pakistan: a review of the ethno-medicinal and pharmacological evidence Alamgeer, Younis W, Asif H, Sharif A, Riaz H, Bukhari IA, Assiri AM Chin Med 18-Sep-2018
PMCID:PMC6145130
doi:10.1186/s13020-018-0204-y
PMID:30250499
Traditional uses of medicinal plants practiced by the indigenous communities at Mohmand Agency, FATA, Pakistan Aziz MA, Adnan M, Khan AH, Shahat AA, Al-Said MS, Ullah R J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 09-Jan-2018
PMCID:PMC5761105
doi:10.1186/s13002-017-0204-5
PMID:29316948
Pharmacological evaluation of the anxiolytic-like effects of Lippia graveolens and bioactive compounds González-Trujano ME, Hernández-Sánchez LY, Muñoz Ocotero V, Dorazco-González A, Guevara Fefer P, Aguirre-Hernández E Pharm Biol 07-Apr-2017
PMCID:PMC6130579
doi:10.1080/13880209.2017.1310908
PMID:28385098
Trade-off among different anti-herbivore defence strategies along an altitudinal gradient Dostálek T, Rokaya MB, Maršík P, Rezek J, Skuhrovec J, Pavela R, Münzbergová Z AoB Plants 11-Jul-2016
PMCID:PMC4940502
doi:10.1093/aobpla/plw026
PMID:27169609

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
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid 135 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O 138.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
3-Methoxysalicylic acid 70140 Click to see 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / P-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
4-Methoxybenzoic Acid 7478 Click to see 152.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Salicylic acid and derivatives / Salicylic acids
2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid 19 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / 1-hydroxy-4-unsubstituted benzenoids
Hydron phenoxide 20488062 Click to see 94.11 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Vanillin 1183 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O 152.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Myristic Acid 11005 Click to see 228.37 unknown via CMAUP database
Oleic Acid 445639 Click to see 282.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Palmitoleic Acid 445638 Click to see CCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O 254.41 unknown via CMAUP database
Stearic Acid 5281 Click to see 284.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Very long-chain fatty acids
Behenic Acid 8215 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O 340.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Hexacosanoic Acid 10469 Click to see 396.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lignoceric Acid 11197 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O 368.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
(2S,4aS,10aR)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-2-ol 13996029 Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCC(C(C3CC2)(C)C)O)C 286.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Colensane and clerodane diterpenoids
(3R,4R,4aS,8aS)-4-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-3,4a,8,8-tetramethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-one 101717490 Click to see 318.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Rotundifuran 9841926 Click to see CC1CC(C2C(CCCC2(C1(CCC3=COC=C3)O)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C 362.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitetrifolin B 15543011 Click to see 362.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitetrifolin C 15543012 Click to see 360.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
(+)-alpha-Terpineol 442501 Click to see 154.25 unknown via CMAUP database
2-[(1S)-4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]propan-2-yl acetate 93317 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)OC(=O)C 196.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocopherols
(+)-gamma-Tocopherol 92729 Click to see 416.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
Taraxerone 92785 Click to see 424.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides
(1S,4AS,7S,7aS)-7-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-(((2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(((4-hydroxybenzoyl)oxy)methyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid 23955877 Click to see 496.50 unknown via CMAUP database
CID 51346123 51346123 Click to see 466.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Mussaenosidic acid 21633105 Click to see 376.36 unknown via CMAUP database
Negundoside 9935561 Click to see 496.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones
(3aS,4R,8aS,9R)-4-[(3aR,4S,8aR,9S)-9-hydroxy-1,5,8-trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-4-yl]-9-hydroxy-1,5,8-trimethyl-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,6-dione 16088182 Click to see 518.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
[(1R,3R,4R,4aS,8aS)-4-hydroxy-3,4a,8,8-tetramethyl-4-[2-(5-oxo-2H-furan-4-yl)ethyl]-2,3,5,6,7,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl] acetate 10022565 Click to see CC1CC(C2C(CCCC2(C1(CCC3=CCOC3=O)O)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C 378.50 unknown via CMAUP database
3-[2-[(1R,2R,4aS,8aS)-1-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethyl]-2H-furan-5-one 102105798 Click to see CC1CCC2C(CCCC2(C1(CCC3=CC(=O)OC3)O)C)(C)C 320.50 unknown via CMAUP database
9-Hydroxy-4-(9-hydroxy-1,5,8-trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-4-yl)-1,5,8-trimethyl-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,6-dione 73239299 Click to see 518.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
Previtexilactone 21636179 Click to see 378.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitexilactone 21636178 Click to see CC1CC(C2C(CCCC2(C1(CCC3=CC(=O)OC3)O)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C 378.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
3Alpha-Hydroxyurs-12-En-28-Oic Acid 7163177 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Alpha-Amyrin 73170 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Betulinic Acid 64971 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Corosolic Acid 6918774 Click to see 472.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol 259846 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Dicarboxylic acids and derivatives
(2E)-2-[(4aS,5R,7R,8R,8aS)-5-acetyloxy-4,4,7,8a-tetramethylspiro[2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-8,5'-oxolane]-2'-ylidene]acetic acid 101357917 Click to see 364.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dihydrofurans / Furanones / Butenolides
(1,5,8-Trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-9-yl) acetate 73239300 Click to see 302.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
9-Hydroxy-1,5,8-trimethyl-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,6-dione 73239298 Click to see CC1=C2C(C(C3=C(C(=O)OC3C1)C)O)C(=CC2=O)C 260.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
Nubenolide 16088181 Click to see CC1=C2C(C(C3=C(C(=O)OC3C1)C)O)C(=CC2=O)C 260.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
Nubenolide acetate 16088183 Click to see CC1=C2C(C(C3=C(C(=O)OC3C1)C)OC(=O)C)C(=CC2=O)C 302.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.54.1235
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
Iso-ambreinolide 15559824 Click to see 264.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydrofurans
Vitex norditerpenoid 1 11208535 Click to see CC1CCC2C(CCCC2(C13CCC(=CC=O)O3)C)(C)C 290.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitex norditerpenoid 2 11462191 Click to see 348.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> 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 via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides
Vitexin 5280441 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids
Bonanzin 5379563 Click to see 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Artemetin 5320351 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)OC 388.40 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
Chrysosplenol D 5280699 Click to see 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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