What is Phellodendron?

Introduction

Phellodendron, also known as Amur cork tree, is deciduous and can grow to 40 feet in height. The tree has glossy dark green leaves and small yellow-green flowers that bloom in summer. The pale gray-brown bark of the tree is collected in the winter from ten year old trees, and is dried and used in decoctions. The tree is native to Korea, Japan and China, and is cultivated in areas of northeast China.1,2

History and Cultural Significance

The genus name, Phellondendron, is from the Greek words phellos, meaning cork, and dendron meaning tree, a reference to the cork-like bark of the trees.2 The bark has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine as an ingredient in herbal formulas.3 Phellodendron, called Huang Bai in Chinese medicine, was listed in the Chinese medical text the Divine Husbandman's Classic (Shen'nong Bencoajing) written around 500 CE.1

Modern Research

While research is being done on berberine,4,6 a chemical constituent of phellodendron, there are no clinical studies on the internal or external uses of P. amurense.

Future Outlook

There is currently no information available on the market statistics or sustainability of phellodendron.

References
1 Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.; 1996.
2 Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd; 2000.
3 Uchiyama T, Kamikawa H, Ogita Z. Anti-ulcer effect of extract from phellodendri cortex. Yakugaku Zasshi. Sep1989;109(9):672-6. Available at: http://content.nhiondemand.com/dse/consumer/monoAll-style.asp?objID=100951&ctype=ds&mtyp=1. Accessed July 20, 2005.
4 Dharmananda S. New Uses of Berberine. A Valuable Alkaloid from Herbs for “Damp-Heat” Syndromes. April; 2005. Available at: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/berberine.htm. Accessed July 21, 2005.
5 Phellodendron amurense. Plants For A Future: Database Search Results. Available at:
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Phellodendron+amurense&CAN=COMIND. Accessed July 20, 2005.
6 Phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense). Dietary Supplement Information Bureau. Available at: http://content.nhiondemand.com/dse/consumer/monoAll-style.asp?objID=100951&ctype=ds&mtyp=1. Accessed July 20, 2005.

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