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Machilus robusta

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64404769119ce527192844
Scientific name Machilus robusta
Authority W.W.Sm.
First published in Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 13: 169 (1921)

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.

Across parts of southern China, Vietnam, and Laos, Machilus robusta is used medicinally in ways that involve teas, decoctions, and occasionally poultices. Workers in Guangdong and Fujian decoct the inner bark in water and drink the brew to reduce fever and soothe cough (Cui, 1998; Yi and Li, 2016). In northern Vietnam, communities in mountainous provinces prepare a gentle leaf or bark tea for stomach discomfort, and a light decoction of the bark or twig tips for cold‑related aches (Nguyen et al., 2003; Le et al., 2012). Hill‑people of northern Laos brew leaf infusions to wash wounds and skin irritations, and apply fresh crushed leaves or bark poultices to insect bites (Bennett et al., 2021). In China, dried bark is sometimes made into a strained decoction with ginger or licorice to lessen gastrointestinal cramps (Li, 2006).

One practical, commonly described preparation is a bark decoction used for fever and cough. Simmer roughly 6–9 g of dried inner bark in 300–400 ml of water for 15–20 minutes, cool to a comfortably warm temperature, strain, and drink 1 cup twice daily. In northern Vietnam, people may reduce the amount to about 3–6 g of bark per cup and sip a small dose two or three times a day; the leaf tea for stomach upset is made by infusing 2–3 g of dried leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Safety notes: keep doses modest and do not use bark decoctions in pregnancy; people with liver disease or taking medications should consult a health professional before use. Avoid consuming large amounts of strong decoctions and discontinue if stomach upset or diarrhea occur (Li, 2006; Nguyen et al., 2003).

Well‑established constituents in Machilus robusta include lignans such as secoisolariciresinol and (+)-pinoresinol, essential oils dominated by monoterpenes like alpha‑pinene, 1,8‑cineole, and linalool, and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol (Li and Jiang, 2010; Sun et al., 2014). These compounds plausibly contribute to the cough‑relieving, antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory, and spasmolytic effects described in traditional uses, especially when taken as infusions or decoctions (Cui, 1998; Yi and Li, 2016).

Today, the species appears in regional herbal trade under local names and continues to be used in village settings for fever, cough, stomach complaints, and topical applications. Pharmacognosy research is ongoing, but commercial products remain limited; current research focuses on leaf and bark extracts for their anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, while village practitioners in southern China, northern Vietnam, and Laos keep the bark decoctions and leaf infusions alive in everyday care (Bennett et al., 2021).

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Persea liangkwangensis (Chun) Kosterm. Reinwardtia 6: 192 (1962)
Persea robusta (W.W.Sm.) Kosterm. Reinwardtia 6: 193 (1962)
Machilus liangkwangensis Chun Acta Phytotax. Sin. 2: 165 (1953)
Persea haridasanii M.Gangop. Bull. Bot. Surv. India 48: 133 (2006)
Machilus haridasanii (M.Gangop.) M.Gangop. Fl. Pl. India Annot. Checkl. Dicot. 2: 444 (2020)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 粗壮润楠

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
    • China
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Hainan
      • Tibet
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • East Himalaya
    • Indo-China
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Vietnam

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001071840
Tropicos 17805677
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:466257-1
The Plant List tro-17805677
Open Tree Of Life 587989
NCBI Taxonomy 460780
IUCN Red List 147625349
IPNI 466257-1
GBIF 4178041
CMAUP NPO2462

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
Indigenous Foods of India: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Nutritive Values, Antinutrient Content and Mineral Bioavailability of Traditional Foods Consumed by Indigenous Communities of India Kapoor R, Sabharwal M, Ghosh-Jerath S Front Sustain Food Syst 28-Apr-2022
PMCID:PMC7612755
doi:10.3389/fsufs.2022.696228
PMID:35607508
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Machilus robusta W. W. Smith (Lauraceae) from Jiangxi Province, China Wu Y, Zheng Y, Liu X, Dai X, Li S, Xu H Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 07-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8189048
doi:10.1080/23802359.2021.1934160
PMID:34151010
Plant-derived lignans as potential antiviral agents: a systematic review Xu XY, Wang DY, Li YP, Deyrup ST, Zhang HJ Phytochem Rev 31-May-2021
PMCID:PMC8165688
doi:10.1007/s11101-021-09758-0
PMID:34093097
Non-structural carbohydrates regulated by season and species in the subtropical monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest of Yunnan Province, China Liu W, Su J, Li S, Lang X, Huang X Sci Rep 18-Jan-2018
PMCID:PMC5773538
doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19271-8
PMID:29348653
DNA barcoding evaluation and implications for phylogenetic relationships in Lauraceae from China Liu ZF, Ci XQ, Li L, Li HW, Conran JG, Li J PLoS One 17-Apr-2017
PMCID:PMC5393608
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175788
PMID:28414813
Combined community ecology and floristics, a synthetic study on the upper montane evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan, southwestern China Zhu H, Chai Y, Zhou S, Yan L, Shi J, Yang G Plant Divers 10-Nov-2016
PMCID:PMC6112265
doi:10.1016/j.pld.2016.11.001
PMID:30159481
Changes in Biomass Carbon and Soil Organic Carbon Stocks following the Conversion from a Secondary Coniferous Forest to a Pine Plantation Li S, Su J, Liu W, Lang X, Huang X, Jia C, Zhang Z, Tong Q PLoS One 23-Sep-2015
PMCID:PMC4580575
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135946
PMID:26397366
Bioactive neolignans and lignans from the bark of Machilus robusta. Li Y, Cheng W, Zhu C, Yao C, Xiong L, Tian Y, Wang S, Lin S, Hu J, Yang Y, Guo Y, Yang Y, Li Y, Yuan Y, Chen N, Shi J J Nat Prod 24-Jun-2011
doi:10.1021/NP2001896
PMID:21627109

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 / Biphenols
Euphorbetin 5317297 Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=C1C(=C(C(=C2)O)O)C3=C(C(=CC4=C3C=CC(=O)O4)O)O 354.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Isoeuphorbetin 71438018 Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=C(C(=C(C=C21)O)O)C3=C(C(=CC4=C3C=CC(=O)O4)O)O 354.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Tetralins
(+)-(8R,8'R)-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-1',2',3',4',5',6'-hexanor-2,7'-cyclolignan-7'-one 53359575 Click to see 220.26 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(8S,8'R)-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-1',2',3',4',5',6'-hexanor-2,7'-cyclolignan-7'-one 53359574 Click to see 220.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Hentriacontane 12410 Click to see 436.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans
(-)-(7'R,8R,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5-trimethoxy-2,7'-cyclolignan 44613160 Click to see 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
(-)-(7'S,7''S,8R,8'S,8''R)-4,4''-dihydroxy-3',3'',5-trimethoxy-4',8''-oxy-2,7'-cyclo-8,8'-sesquineolignan-7''-ol 53359464 Click to see CC1CC2=CC(=C(C=C2C(C1C)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)OC(C)C(C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)O)OC)O)OC 508.60 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(7'S,8S,8'S)-3',4,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-2,7'-cyclolignan 38363100 Click to see CC1CC2=CC(=C(C=C2C(C1C)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)OC 314.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(7's,8S,8's)-3',4,4'-Trihydroxy-5,5'-Dimethoxy-2,7'-Cyclolignan 53344596 Click to see 344.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
Guaiacin 11724027 Click to see 328.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
Isoguaiacin 10314441 Click to see CC1CC2=CC(=C(C=C2C(C1C)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)OC 328.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
rel-(+)-(7'S,8S,8'S)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3',5,5'-trimethoxy-2,7'-cyclolignan 53344598 Click to see 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans / 9,9p-dihydroxyaryltetralin lignans
(+)-Lyoniresinol 11711453 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C(C(CC3=CC(=C(C(=C23)OC)O)OC)CO)CO 420.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Dibenzylbutane lignans
(+)-(7''S,8S,8'R,8''R)-4,4''-dihydroxy-3,3',3'',5'-tetramethoxy-4',8''-oxy-8,8'-sesquineolignan-7''-ol 53344594 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C(C)CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2)OC)OC(C)C(C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)OC 540.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
(+)-(7''S,8S,8'R,8''S)-4,4''-dihydroxy-3,3',3'',5'-tetramethoxy-4',8''-oxy-8,8'-sesquineolignan-7''-ol 53344595 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C(C)CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2)OC)OC(C)C(C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)OC 540.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
(+)-(8S,8'R)-3',4,4'-trihydroxy-5,5'-dimethoxylignan 53344597 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C(C)CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2)OC)O)O 346.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
(+)-(8S,8'R)-4-hydroxy-3,3',4',5'-tetramethoxylignan 53359577 Click to see 374.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(8S,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3-methoxylignan 53359706 Click to see 300.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(8S,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxylignan 53359576 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C(C)CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2)OC)O)OC 360.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(8S,8'R)-9-acetoxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxylignan 53359578 Click to see 418.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-(8S,8'R)-9'-acetoxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxylignan 53359579 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C(CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2)OC)O)OC)COC(=O)C 418.50 unknown via CMAUP database
4-[(2S,3R)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-2-methoxyphenol 476859 Click to see 344.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
Meso-Dihydroguaiaretic Acid 476856 Click to see 330.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans
(-)-Pinoresinol 12309636 Click to see 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
(-)-Syringaresinol 11604108 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC 418.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
4-[(3R,3aR,6R,6aR)-6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-3-yl]-2-methoxyphenol 12309637 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)O 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
Pinoresinol 73399 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)O 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 7,7-epoxylignans
Huazhongilexin 15690604 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C(C(C(O2)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)OC)O)OC)CO)CO 436.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP2001896
rel-(-)-(7S,7'R,8S,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-7,7'-epoxylignan 53359707 Click to see 374.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 7,9-epoxylignans
(-)-(7R,8R,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-7,9'-epoxylignan 53359708 Click to see 374.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
[(1'R,2R,3'E,5'R,7'S,11'R,12'R,13'S,14'S)-1',11'-diacetyloxy-3',6',6',14'-tetramethyl-2'-oxospiro[oxirane-2,10'-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-ene]-13'-yl] 2-phenylacetate 10626539 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)CC3=CC=CC=C3)C(C4(CCC5C(C5(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)CO4)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 552.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1'R,2R,3'E,5'S,7'S,11'R,12'R,13'S,14'S)-1',11'-diacetyloxy-3',6',6',14'-tetramethyl-2'-oxospiro[oxirane-2,10'-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-ene]-13'-yl] 2-phenylacetate 100933326 Click to see 552.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,3E,5R,7S,10E,12S,13S,14S)-1-acetyloxy-10-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadeca-3,10-dienyl] (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate 44241674 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C=CC3=CC=CC=C3)C=C(CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 548.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,3E,5R,7S,9E,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-10-(acetyloxymethyl)-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadeca-3,9-dienyl] benzoate 44241675 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 580.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,3E,5R,7S,9S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-13-benzoyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-9-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] benzoate 45270942 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=C)C(CC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C5=CC=CC=C5)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 642.70 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,3E,5S,7S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] pyridine-3-carboxylate 100933329 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CN=CC=C3)C(C(=C)CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 523.60 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,5R,7S,11R,12R,13S,14S)-1,11-diacetyloxy-3,6,6,14-tetramethyl-10-methylidene-2-oxo-13-tricyclo[10.3.0.05,7]pentadec-3-enyl] benzoate 85364164 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(C(=C)CCC4C(C4(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 522.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Diacetyl benzoyl lathyrol 10577938 Click to see 522.60 unknown via CMAUP database
euphorbia factor L1 11238221 Click to see 552.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Euphorbia factor L10 11754671 Click to see 474.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Euphorbia factor L8 10697375 Click to see 523.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Euphorbiasteroid 15940183 Click to see CC1CC2(C(C1OC(=O)CC3=CC=CC=C3)C(C4(CCC5C(C5(C)C)C=C(C2=O)C)CO4)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C 552.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lathyrol 5281376 Click to see 334.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Tigliane and ingenane diterpenoids
Ingenol 442042 Click to see 348.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Ingenol 3-hexadecanoate 56841025 Click to see 586.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
(3S,4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-ol 11876268 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one 11877465 Click to see 424.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(1R,3aS,5aR,5bR,7aR,9S,11aR,11bS,13aR,13bR)-3a-(hydroxymethyl)-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol 11870460 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 11870456 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Tyrosine and derivatives
Levodopa 6047 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CC(C(=O)O)N)O)O 197.19 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Coumarin glycosides
Esculin 5281417 Click to see C1=CC(=O)OC2=CC(=C(C=C21)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O 340.28 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 6,7-dihydroxycoumarins
Esculetin 5281416 Click to see 178.14 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7,8-dihydroxycoumarins
Daphnetin 5280569 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C2=C1C=CC(=O)O2)O)O 178.14 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-3-O-glucuronides
Kaempferol 3-O-glucuronide 5318759 Click to see 462.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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