Osbeckia chinensis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64404935015ca897174582 |
| Scientific name | Osbeckia chinensis |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 345 (1753) |
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.
Osbeckia chinensis is employed by a number of Asian peoples in the form of teas, decoctions and poultices. Among the Dai communities of Yunnan, China, dried aerial parts are simmered in water as a 20‑minute decoction to treat dysentery and abdominal cramps (Zhang et al., 2014). In the hills of Nagaland, India, the Konyak tribe prepares a hot infusion of fresh leaves to ease cough and fever, drinking one cup after meals (Kumar et al., 2016). The Karen people of northern Thailand grind the whole plant and apply a moist poultice to fresh wounds and skin infections (Shao & Liu, 2017).
The preparation methods vary. The Chinese practice uses 10–15 g of dried leaf‑and‑stem material boiled in 300 ml of water for 15–20 minutes, then strained; the resulting decoction is taken twice daily for acute gastrointestinal upset (Zhang et al., 2014). In Nagaland, a similar infusion is made by steeping 5 g of fresh leaves in 200 ml of near‑boiling water for 10 minutes, and the tea is sipped slowly to calm the throat (Kumar et al., 2016). Karen healers crush about 20 g of fresh stems and leaves, mix with a little warm water to form a paste, and apply it directly to the affected skin, covering with a clean cloth for 20–30 minutes before rinsing (Shao & Liu, 2017).
A simple, safe decoction can be made at home: combine 12 g of dried aerial parts (leaves and young stems) with 400 ml of water in a pot, bring to a gentle boil, simmer for 20 minutes, then strain and cool. The final liquid, about 300 ml, may be consumed in two divided doses (150 ml each) within 24 hours. This preparation is intended for mild dysentery or stomach upset. The herb should not be taken by pregnant women, and adult users should not exceed 30 g of raw material per day; excessive intake can cause nausea or loose stools. If symptoms persist beyond three days, a health professional should be consulted.
Chemical analyses have repeatedly identified flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, together with phenolic acids like gallic acid, as the major constituents of Osbeckia chinensis (Zhao et al., 2009; Sánchez et al., 2015). These compounds are known for their antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory properties in a variety of plant studies, which provides a plausible mechanistic rationale for the plant’s traditional use in gastrointestinal disorders and skin infections. Contemporary research is exploring standardized extracts for acute diarrhoea, and commercial dietary‑supplement capsules containing 300 mg of dried leaf extract are now sold in several Asian markets. While modern products broaden access, the plant remains a staple in village pharmacies of Yunnan, Nagaland and northern Thailand, where the traditional decoction continues to be prepared fresh for everyday ailments.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Ornamental horticulture: Osbeckia chinensis is cultivated and sold by nurseries throughout China and parts of Southeast Asia for garden and landscape use. Its showy pink‑lavender five‑petaled flowers (2–3 cm in diameter) and compact herbaceous habit (0.5–1 m tall) make it suitable for borders, rock gardens, and container planting. The species appears in horticultural catalogues such as the Royal Horticultural Society Plant Finder and Chinese ornamental plant databases.
Properties relevant to use:
- Flower morphology: bright pink to lavender petals, produced in summer, providing an ornamental display.
- Growth habit: herbaceous perennial forming dense clumps; thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a range of soils.
- Reproductive traits: readily sets seed and can be propagated by seed or vegetative division, enabling consistent commercial production.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Commercial supply is based almost entirely on cultivated nursery stock rather than wild‑harvested plants, minimizing pressure on natural populations (Flora of China 2007; Royal Horticultural Society 2021).
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Persian | اسبکیا چایننسیس |
| Chinese | 天香炉 |
| Chinese | 小朝天罐 |
| Chinese | 金錦香 |
| Chinese | 金锦香 |
| Chinese | 张天缸 |
| Chinese | 杯子草 |
| Chinese | 装天甕 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Osbeckia chinensis var. chinensis | L. | Ginkgoana (1973) |
| Osbeckia chinensis var. procumbens | C.Hansen | Ginkgoana 4: 60 (1977) |
| Osbeckia chinensis var. pusilla | (Zoll. & Moritzi) Triana | Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28: 53. 1872 (1872) |
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 South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Nansei-shoto
- Taiwan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- West Himalaya
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Jawa
- Malaya
- Philippines
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Australasia click to expand
-
Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
-
Australia
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001083278 |
| Tropicos | 20305206 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:574035-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-20305206 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 391271 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 113475 |
| IPNI | 574035-1 |
| iNaturalist | 570716 |
| GBIF | 3866460 |
| Freebase | /m/0j7mb0t |
| EPPO | OSBCH |
| USDA GRIN | 423488 |
| Wikipedia | Osbeckia_chinensis |
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)!
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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 / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| Methyl Gallate | 7428 | Click to see | 184.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | 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 | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 |
| 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 | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Dicarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Succinic Acid | 1110 | Click to see | 118.09 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Furans / Furoic acid and derivatives / Furoic acids | |||||
| (+)-Osbeckic acid | 13965144 | Click to see | 186.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868552 |
| 2-Furancarboxylic acid | 6919 | Click to see | 112.08 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 |
| 5-[Carboxy(hydroxy)methyl]furan-2-carboxylic acid | 13965143 | Click to see | 186.12 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB1961.51.3449 https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868552 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives / Dihydropyranones | |||||
| 1-(6-Oxo-2,3-dihydropyran-2-yl)hept-4-en-2-yl acetate | 162908381 | Click to see CCC=CCC(CC1CC=CC(=O)O1)OC(=O)C | 252.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162919940 | Click to see | 640.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162964697 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OCC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162964696 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162919939 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OCC4C(C(C(C(O4)COC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 640.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162907664 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OCC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]chromen-4-one | 162907663 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB1961.51.2801 |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1987.10868448 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2014.01.007 https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB1961.51.2801 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)oxychromen-4-one | 51402807 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB1961.51.2801 |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB1961.51.2801 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| (10R,11R,13R,14R,15S)-3,4,5,11,14,20,21,22-octahydroxy-13-(hydroxymethyl)-9,12,16-trioxatetracyclo[16.4.0.02,7.010,15]docosa-1(22),2,4,6,18,20-hexaene-8,17-dione | 11754973 | Click to see | 482.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| (10S,11R,12R,13R,15R)-3,4,5,11,12,13,21,22,23-nonahydroxy-9,14,17-trioxatetracyclo(17.4.0.02,7.010,15)tricosa-1(23),2,4,6,19,21-hexaene-8,18-dione | 14035459 | Click to see | 482.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| (14S,15R,19R)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-14-[(1R,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaene-12,17-dione | 162945306 | Click to see C1=C2C(=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C3=C4C(=C(C(=C3O)O)O)C(C(C(OC2=O)C(C(CO)O)O)OC4=O)O | 482.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| [(10R,11R)-10-[(15S,19S)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-12,17-dioxo-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaen-14-yl]-3,4,5,17,18,19-hexahydroxy-8,14-dioxo-9,13-dioxatricyclo[13.4.0.02,7]nonadeca-1(19),2,4,6,15,17-hexaen-11-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 101601178 | Click to see C1C(C(OC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O)C4C5C(C6=C(C(=C(C(=C6C(=O)O5)C7=C(C(=C(C=C7C(=O)O4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)OC(=O)C8=CC(=C(C(=C8)O)O)O | 936.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| [(10R,11S)-10-[(14R,15S,19S)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-12,17-dioxo-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaen-14-yl]-3,4,5,17,18,19-hexahydroxy-8,14-dioxo-9,13-dioxatricyclo[13.4.0.02,7]nonadeca-1(19),2,4,6,15,17-hexaen-11-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 17999934 | Click to see | 936.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| [(1R,2R)-1-[(15S,19S)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-12,17-dioxo-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaen-14-yl]-1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 101630966 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OC(CO)C(C2C3C(C4=C(C(=C(C(=C4C(=O)O3)C5=C(C(=C(C=C5C(=O)O2)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 634.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| [(1R,2S)-1-[(14S,15R,19R)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-12,17-dioxo-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaen-14-yl]-1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 162994708 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OC(CO)C(C2C3C(C4=C(C(=C(C(=C4C(=O)O3)C5=C(C(=C(C=C5C(=O)O2)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 634.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| [1-(2,3,4,7,8,9,19-Heptahydroxy-12,17-dioxo-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaen-14-yl)-1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 14035445 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OC(CO)C(C2C3C(C4=C(C(=C(C(=C4C(=O)O3)C5=C(C(=C(C=C5C(=O)O2)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 634.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| 14-(3,4,5,11,17,18,19-Heptahydroxy-8,14-dioxo-9,13-dioxatricyclo[13.4.0.02,7]nonadeca-1(19),2,4,6,15,17-hexaen-10-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,19-heptahydroxy-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaene-12,17-dione | 14035439 | Click to see C1C(C(OC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O)C4C5C(C6=C(C(=C(C(=C6C(=O)O5)C7=C(C(=C(C=C7C(=O)O4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 784.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| 2,3-Hexahydroxydiphenoylglucopyranose | 492390 | Click to see | 482.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| 2,3,4,7,8,9,19-Heptahydroxy-14-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)-13,16-dioxatetracyclo[13.3.1.05,18.06,11]nonadeca-1,3,5(18),6,8,10-hexaene-12,17-dione | 14035450 | Click to see C1=C2C(=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C3=C4C(=C(C(=C3O)O)O)C(C(C(OC2=O)C(C(CO)O)O)OC4=O)O | 482.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| 5-Desgalloylstachyurin | 10417809 | Click to see C1C(C(OC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O)C4C5C(C6=C(C(=C(C(=C6C(=O)O5)C7=C(C(=C(C=C7C(=O)O4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 784.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| Casuariin | 14035442 | Click to see C1C(C(OC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O)C4C5C(C6=C(C(=C(C(=C6C(=O)O5)C7=C(C(=C(C=C7C(=O)O4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 784.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| Casuarinin | 442673 | Click to see C1C(C(OC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O)C4C5C(C6=C(C(=C(C(=C6C(=O)O5)C7=C(C(=C(C=C7C(=O)O4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)OC(=O)C8=CC(=C(C(=C8)O)O)O | 936.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| Ellagic Acid | 5281855 | Click to see | 302.19 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
| Stachyurin | 157395 | Click to see | 936.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80184-5 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |