Herbs from Distant Lands: Chloranthus elatior

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PLANT PROFILE

Chloranthus erectus is a shrub that grows in shade of forests in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climate zones, from Eastern Himalayan, through Indochina to South East Asian region as far as New Guinea. It is important as a medicinal plant for many local indigenous cultures, that has been using it in traditional healing for many generations. And just like all the other species of genus Chloranthes (that according to different sources comprise of 10 - 17 species) it is a plant that has a strong reputation as a powerful herbal cure among herbal practitioners of the region. But remains one of lesser known herbs in its own lands, and only few people ever heard about it outside of the region.
Chloranthus erectus is also often known as under the name Chloranthus elatior, and it is often mistaken with Chloranthus spicatus, or simply treated as a one species. Chloranthus spicatus is very closely related and almost identical with C. erectus, but it is said to grow generally smaller (1,5m), have smaller leaves (5-11× 2,5-5,5cm) than C. erectus (even up to 3m height, leaves 10-20 × 4-8 cm), and produce yellow flowers while C. erectus flowers are mainly white.
Beside for being used for medicinal purposes, infusions from C. erectus and C. spicatus are also much appreciated as a stimulating beverage tea with wonderful aroma. And as such it was very popular, and those plants being cultivated on plantations and traded on markets as a tea in Indonesia. Until in 19th Century the Dutch colonial government prohibited the cultivation of Chloranthus, in order to promote the planting and production of the Tea (Camellia sinensis), for which then there was a huge demand on European markets. Since then Chloranthus has lost its popularity as a beverage, and nowadays it is difficult to buy it on the market. Only small quantities of dried material are sometimes sold together with other ingredients for traditional Indonesian medicine. And it is sometimes grown in Chinese-owned Camellia tea plantations, as its leaves and flowers are added to C. sinensis leaves during drying to impart Chloranthus specific flavor and taste to the Tea.

Chloranthus erectus has many local names, here are just some of it : Kbak Damrei (Cambodia) Dikut Dikut, Keras Tulang, Langut Langut (Sarawak, Malaysia), Rami Hutan, Sambau Paya, Sigueh Putih (Pen. Malaysia), Totol (Kuyongon - Sabah, MY), Keras Tulang, Uyuh-uyuhan (Indonesia), Harostulang (Sumatra, ID), Uya Uyahan (Java, ID), Karastulang (Sundanese,West Java, ID), Tuur Munding (West Java, ID), Lagrimas, Sunulampong (Philippines), Barau Barau (Luzon, PH), Tul-an Hinbad (Samar, PH), Tunggao (Tagbanua, PH), Manalak (Mindanao, PH), Hom Kai, Gra Duuk Gai (north Thailand), Kraduk Kai (central Thailand), Yu Zi Lan, Jie Jie Cha, Jiu Hie Feng, Shi Feng Jie (China), Yasinha, Bea-ken-kur, Lakang-taklang (India), Thanat-kha, Yuzara (Myanmar).
Chloranthus erectus is the most used botanical name for this plant, but Chloranthus elatior is also used very frequently, and Chloranthus officinalis name is still sometimes used nowadays. Other synonyms for this plant are Chloranthus inconspicuus, Chloranthus salicifolius, Chloranthus sumatranus and Cryphaea erecta, but these botanical names went out of use years ago.

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Chloranthus erectus is evergreen shrub that usually grow shorter but wider than 1m, but it can reach even 3m in height and be more than 2m wide. It belongs to small family of Chloranthaceae, together with only three other genera Sarcandra, Hedyosmus and Ascarina, all of which has unique forms of flowers without petals, and are used in traditional medicine. Chloranthus erectus flowers are basically small white bumps (1-2mm) settled on few spikes, when young it can look more green-white or yellowish, while very similar but smaller plants of Chloranthus spicatus has always bright yellow flowers.
The fruits of both species are greenish-white when young, usually turning purplish-white with time, to ripe as a small (0,6cm) white balls with green or purplish-brown eye, which is actually a visible, fruit flesh-uncovered seed. It is said to produce flowers between Apr-Jun and fruits between Jul-Sep, but in the Philippines it generally flowers and grow fruits all year round.
Chloranthus erectus likes tropical and subtropical climate, but can be also find in warm temperate climate regions. It grows in shade of trees, mainly in mountain forests at elevations up to 2500m, often on limestone, but also in moist soils in lowlands. Well established plants can withstand some droughts. If the drought is extreme and long term, the aerial part of the plant can get entirely dead dry, but the roots and stems base often survive. And the new stems will regrow rapidly and vigorously straight after first strong rains.
C. erectus can be propagated from seeds or threw layering, but it's cuttings put roots easily and grow well, making it fastest way to increase your number of the plants.

Chloranthus erectus and C. spicatus are a low maintenance plants, that can adapt to different conditions in garden cultivation, and are generally resistant to pests and diseases. It can be easily shaped by cutting. And because of its glossy neat leaves, interesting flowers and nice looking fruits, in Indonesia it is sometimes planted not only for use as a herb, but also for purely ornamental purposes. I didn't found yet any data about how hardy those two species are, so please let me know if you have some idea of how low temperatures it can withstand. I presume that even if the short term frosts around 0'C would freeze it's aerial parts to death, it would still grow back from the rootbase. Yet I wouldn't risk the exposure of C. erectus or C. spicatus to temperatures below 5'C unless unavoidable.
If planted on a sunny spot, its growth might be slower, and the plants will tend to spread wider instead of growing more upright. Scorching sun might makes its leaves to get silvery-brown blurs, but it usually won't drop like many other plants leaves affected by extremely strong sun. Chloranthus leaves even when strongly depigmented by sun will usually lasts fully alive on branches for months, and its aroma might be few times stronger than that of entirely green leaves from shade.
C. erectus and C. spicatus are also not problematic as a houseplants. So considered the fact that even in its native lands these herbs are generally hard to get on the market. And that it is almost impossible to find them in herbal shops in other countries outside of the region. Add the fact how wonderful and unique those herbs aroma is. I think it is worth to make a hard search for Chloranthus seeds online or for life plants in professional rare plants nurseries. To get one, to grow, and enjoy the unique flavor of it's freshly picked leaves, whatever country you live in.

Chloranthus leaves, whole stems tops or roots can be harvested all year round. But depend of periodic weather conditions, the leaves might have significantly different taste and aroma. Like all aromatic herbs it need to be dried with cautious, in shade at not to high temperature, and put in well tight containers straight afterwards. But even with the best practice of drying and storage, Chloranthus leaves will always lose some of it's aroma, and the fresh leaves will always have more potent fragrance and medicinal properties than the dried one. While Chloranthus roots when quickly dried and well stored, can keep it's aroma strong for long time.

In Indonesia C. erectus is also used as a dye plant, to produce dark blue or black colors.

CULINARY USES

All parts of Chloranthus erectus (also C. spicatus) plants can be used to make a tea. It has softly bitter taste, and wonderful, unique aroma that is mildly peppery, slightly sweet and of rather masculine character. It is considered to act as an aphrodisiac, especially on women. For long time Chloranthus tea was a very popular beverage in Indonesia. The plant was commonly grown on plantations and sold dried on markets. Until in 19th Century the Dutch colonial government prohibited the cultivation of Chloranthus, and instead started to promote the planting and production of Tea (Camellia sinensis) for export. Since then Chloranthus tea become less and less popular.

Nowadays Chloranthus erectus and C. spicatus has only status of lesser known medicinal herbs in some regions of South-East Asia, for example as an ingredients of Indonesian traditional herbal drinks called Jamu. And consumption of Chloranthus simply as a beverage tea is very uncommon, almost entirely forgotten tradition. Sporadically Chloranthus is also added to Camellia Tea to impart its flavor.

It is a sad story in my opinion. As for me Chloranthus is one of my best herbal discoveries ever. I love its scent and hope that one day there will be revival of popularity of Chloranthus tea, that it deserves not only because of great, unique aroma but also due to its health benefits.

I have found information that the young leaves can be eaten raw as vegetable. And that formerly the leaves of Chloranthus erectus were eaten together with pork as an offering in House Tambaran (ancestral worship house) in the Hagen area of New Guinea.

In my experience, even young, not fully developed leaves of C. erectus are to bitter and pungent to be eaten as a vegetable. But either its young and soft or older and tougher leaves, can be finely chopped and used as an extraordinary spice.

MEDICINAL USES

Chloranthus erectus has a long history of use as a medicinal plant in the lands of its native habitat, from Himalayan to New Guinea. But although it is highly esteemed as a herbal cure by folk healers in many indigenous communities, and some modern herbalists in few Asian countries. Nowadays it is generally lesser known medicinal herb in the region, almost entirely unknown in other countries.

Only very few scientific research has been made to discover C. erectus chemical constituents and test the plants pharmacological actions. But together with ethnobotanical records of it's traditional applications, we have from it quite clear view on the healing nature of this herb.

Chloranthus erectus leaves, stems and roots are aromatic, with slightly bitter, peppery taste. Its actions are described as detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, stimulant, febrifuge, sudorific, antibacterial, hemostatic, expectorant, antispasmodic, relaxing muscles and joints. It is also considered to be aphrodisiac, especially for women.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms this herb is said to dredge the meridian passage, and to be of warm and dry nature.

All parts of C. erectus are usually used fresh (preferred for its stronger potency) or dried in form of infusion or decoction, but tinctures can be also made from it. Decoctions should be made with care, and infusions should be also covered tightly while steep, to prevent evaporation of Chloranthus essential oils, which gives it most of its medicinal values. The preparations are taken orally as a treatment for :

- Fevers. This herb is widely used to treat many kinds of fevers (including malarial) and accompanied complains like body ache and debility. It induce sweating and reduce fever, significantly speeding up recovery time. Beside for being drunk in form of leaves and stems or roots tea, in Myanmar also after boiling the roots are powdered and rubbed on body to treat fever.
As a result of tests on rats, antipyretic effect of the Chloranthus erectus leaf methanol extract was compared with that of the standard drug paracetamol.

- Infectious diseases. Infusions or decoctions from all parts of this plant are used to treat many kinds of infections like cold, flu, malaria, stomach infections and venereal diseases.

Chloranthus erectus leaf methanol extract exhibited a broad spectrum of growth inhibition activity against both G (−) and G (+) bacterial strains : Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ralstonia eutropha, Salmonella typhimurium.

- Inflammations. This herb is often taken orally to treat different kinds of inflammations like skin inflammation, lungs inflammation, rheumatism and arthritis. And it is also applied externally, mostly in form of poultice from fresh parts paste, or paste from dried and powdered parts.

- Pregnancy and delivery. In India and Indonesia drink from boiled branches is used to prevent conception. In Myanmar and India decoctions of crushed leaves or roots (sometimes with bark Cinnamomum culilawan added) are used as an antispasmodic during childbirth to make delivery smooth. In the Philippines Chloranthus erectus roots decoction is given to women as postpartum remedy. In West Java, Indonesia Chloranthus heated pounded leafs are orally ingested as postpartum remedy. In Java, an infusion of the powdered Chloranthus root and the bark of Cinnamomum culilawan is used to treat puerperal eclampsia, and in China C. erectus tea is drunk as a remedy for puerperal hemorrhage. This herb is also taken as a remedy for uterine prolapse.

- Respiratory problems. This herb is taken as treatment for coughs due to cold or asthma, it helps to get rid of phlegm.

- Pain. Chloranthus erectus is widely used to bring relief to many forms of pain, from migraines, body aches, flank pain, axilla pain, joint pains, to pain in chest or stomach.

- Muscle spasms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this herb is given for epilepsy. It is also used as an antispasmodic during childbirth and to ease asthmatic spasms of lungs.

Chloranthus erectus infusions or decoctions are also taken orally to treat : renal calculus, localized swelling, bone fractures, contusions, traumatic injury, impairment caused by overstrain, and to improve wound healing, or to stop vomiting.

This herb is also often used for treatments of many conditions externally :

- In Indonesia and China paste made from powdered leaves is applied externally to soothe contusion and bone fracture. In India paste is made from Chloranthus leaves mixed with leaves of Curcuma longa and applied on swelling area of fracture bones to reduce pain and swelling, and liniments with Chloranthus are said to be very useful to treat acute injury. In Malaysia crushed leaves are put on cut wound to stop bleeding.

- In the Philippines the leaves are pounded and applied to ulcers and the warmed leaves are applied for sprains.

- Young leaf paste or leaf extract or is applied on inflammation.

- Bruised roots used as poultice for boils and carbuncles.

- Khamti tribe of Arunachal Pradesh use leaves paste or leaf extract for elephant foot swelling.

Many, if not the most of Chloranthus medicinal properties are due to its essential oils content. Air-dried leaves with stems of Chloranthus elatior from Vietnam yields 0.15% (v/w) of essential oil, with main compounds being : bicycloelemene, bicyclogermacene, delta-cadinene, germacrene-D, beta-ocimene, allo-ocimene, beta-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-elemene and spathulenol.

Chloranthus erectus also contains : sesquiterpenes [eudesmanes (neolitacumone B, multislactone A, chlospicate A, chloranthalic acid, chlorantholides A-F, chloranthones A-D, shizukolidol), guaianes (zedoalactone A and E), aromadendranes], sesquiterpene polymers, disesquiterpenoid (chloramultilide C), diterpenoids [labdanes (elatiorlabdane)] and triterpenoids, secoeudesmanolide (chloranerectuslactone V), chloranthalactone B, 9-hydroxy-heterogorgiolide, 2-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene formaldehyde, ferulic aldehyde, turpentine phenol, 4,5,7-trimethoxyflavonols, flavokawain A, 5-hydroxy-7,4 dimethoxyflavanone, beta-coumaric acid and beta-sitosterol.

Chloranthus spicatus poses very similar chemical profile to C. erectus, which validate their use as a mutual substitutes. Therefore it is important to mention here, that besides of many traditional medicinal claims that was already mentioned above, C. spicatus is also used : to quicken the blood and treat high blood pressure, invigorate health, to treat periarthritis of shoulder and protrusion of lumbar disc, to kill parasitic worms and externally to treat ringworm.

I didn't found any information about anticancer use of C. erectus or C. spicatus, but both plants are well known to detoxify body, which is very important if not the crucial action in fight with cancer. And their relatives named Cloranthus multistachys, Chloranthus japonicus and Sarcandra glabra (syn. Chloranthus glaber), are used as anticancer herbs not only by folk healers but also physicians in Chinese clinics. As its anticancer effectiveness has been proved by modern scientific tests. For example tablets of S. glabra are clinically used as an adjunctive therapy for leukemia and pancreatic and liver cancer, and can be found in the Pharmacopoeia of PR China.

Terpenoid compounds isolated from Chloranthus japonicus exhibited inhibitory activities against HIV virus.

Contraindications

There are no data about any side effects of consumption of Chloranthus erectus. But I found information that Choranthus spicatus can be poisonous if overdosed, and that Chloranthus serratus should not be used in cases of pregnancy.

In research paper titled ''Ethnomedicinal Analysis of Toxic Plants from Five Ethnic Groups in China'', the authors stated that Chloranthus erectus whole plant is a herb with ''low'' level of toxicity. In comparison Gynura procumbens whole plant was also listed under low toxicity, while Gingko biloba seeds and leaves, Polygonum hydropiper whole plant and Cheliodonium majus whole plant, was all described as herbs with medium level of toxicity.

AROMATHERAPY USES

Chloranthus erectus posses a truly unique smell. Truly, because its scent is not just a unique combination of fragnance notes that we already well know, like eucalyptuses, citruses and pines notes all mixed in the smell of Callistemon. Chloranthus scent is created by rare chemical compounds, many of which can be found only in Chloranthus species and no other plants in the world, and therefore it can't be compared to any other fragrance. You can only describe it as a bit peppery and masculine, yet mildly sweet, gently warming and stimulating aroma.

C. erectus essential oil undoubtedly posses a great potential in perfumery and aromatherapy. Probably most of medicinal powers giving this herb properties like pain-killing and antispasmodic, are thanks to its content of volatile chemical compounds. Therefore extracted essential oil can be even more convenient and effective for the treatment of some ailments than Chloranthus teas with its low essential oil content.

But at the moment no one have produce essential oil from Chloranthus as the plant in not commercially cultivated, and very hard to buy even in form of dried herb. Which is a huge shame.

Sources

'' Thai Herbal Medicine: Traditional Recipes for Health and Harmony '' - Nephyr Jacobsen, C. Pierce Salguero, Simon and Schuster 2014

'' The medicinal plants of Myanmar '' - Robert A. DeFilipps, Gary A. Krupnick, Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution 2018

'' Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 16 Stimulants '' - H.A.M. van der Vossen and M. Wessel, Backhuys Publishers, Leiden 2000

'' Medicinal Plants Of The Asia-pacific: Drugs For The Future? '' - Christophe Wiart, World Scientific 2006

'' Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines - Molecular Structures, Pharmacological Activities, Natural Sources and Applications: Vol. 6: Indexes '' - Jiaju Zhou, Guirong Xie, Xinjian Yan, Springer Science & Business Media 2011

Medicinal Plants for Treating Musculoskeletal Disorders among Karen in Thailand - Rapeeporn Kantasrila, Hataichanok Pandith, Henrik Balslev, Prasit Wangpakapattanawong, Prateep Panyadee and Angkhana Inta

Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines - Molecular Structures, Pharmacological Activities, Natural Sources and Applications: Vol. 5: Isolated Compounds T—Z, References, TCM Plants and Congeners - Jiaju Zhou, Guirong Xie, Xinjian Yan, Springer Science & Business Media 2011

Ethnomedicinal Analysis of Toxic Plants from Five Ethnic Groups in China - Huyin Huai, Qinqin Dong and Aizhong Liu