A tree 15m. or more in height, much-branched. Trunk bark thick, yellow inside. Leaves imparipinnate, of 5-13 leaflets. Inflorescence in terminal panicle; flowers unisexual, greenish-yellow.
Rutaceae
Phellodendron amurense Rupr.
Local names:
English name:
Amur cork tree.
Description:
A tree 15m. or more in height, much-branched. Trunk bark thick, yellow inside. Leaves imparipinnate, of 5-13 leaflets. Inflorescence in terminal panicle; flowers unisexual, greenish-yellow. Fruit globose, 2-5 - seeded, dark-violet when ripe.
Flowering period:
May - November.
Distribution:
Naturalized in mountainous regions, up to 1500m.
Parts used:
The trunk bark, collected from April to July. After the periderm has been scraped off, the bark is dried in the sun or in ovens.
Chemical composition:
The trunk bark contains 0.6% berberine, palmatine, obakunone, obakulactone and sterols.
Therapeutic uses:
The trunk bark, which possesses antibacterial properties, is used in treating jaundice following cholecystitis, boils on the chin, urinary duct inflammation, chyluria, dysentery, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, haemorrhoids, ophthalmia, otitis, spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, fever and night sweats. The usual daily dose is 6 to 12g in the form of a decoction, powder or purified berberine. A poultice is prescribed for furunculosis and wounds