Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark
- Chinese
- 椿皮
- Pinyin
- Chun Pi
- Latin
- Cortex Ailanthi
Known in TCM as Chun Pi (椿皮), this bitter and astringent, cold herb enters the Large Intestine, Liver, and Stomach. Traditionally, it clears Heat and dries Dampness, most often applied for dysentery, leukorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Modern research has identified Ailanthone among its active constituents.
Part used: Bark
Also Known As
Latin: Cortex Ailanthi | Pinyin: Chun Pi | Chinese: 椿皮
TCM Properties
- Taste
- bitter, astringent
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears Heat and dries Dampness … used for damp-heat patterns presenting as diarrhea, dysentery, and bloody stools
- Astringes the Intestines and stops bleeding … used for chronic loose stools, hemorrhage, and rectal bleeding from intestinal heat
- Stops vaginal discharge … used for chronic leukorrhea from damp-heat pouring into the Lower Jiao
- Stops abnormal uterine bleeding … used for heavy menstrual flow or uterine bleeding from damp-heat with blood heat
Secondary Actions
- Clears heat and astringes to stop spermatorrhea
- Expels intestinal parasites … secondary anthelmintic action for roundworm and similar infections
Classic Formulas
- Gu Jing Wan (固經丸) … Stabilize the Menses Pill; features Chun Pi as assistant ingredient for heavy menstrual bleeding or abnormal uterine bleeding from Yin deficiency with blood heat
Classical References
- Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica, 659 CE, Tang dynasty) … first recorded use of Chun bark (椿皮) for dysentery and stopping pathological discharge
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Ailanthone … primary quassinoid; potent anticancer, anthelmintic, and antiplasmodial activity
- Quassinoids (shinjulactones, ailantinols, chaparrinone derivatives) … highly modified triterpenoids with cytotoxic and antiparasitic properties
- Alkaloids … including canthin-6-one alkaloids; antimicrobial and anticancer
- Phenylpropanoids … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds
- Triterpenoids … additional bioactive terpenoid fraction
Studied Effects
- Anticancer … ailanthone and quassinoids show potent cytotoxic activity against hepatoma cell lines Hep3B and HepG2; some compounds more active than doxorubicin against multidrug-resistant lines (PMID 23290052)
- Anthelmintic … ailanthone inhibits nematode reproduction with IC50 2.47 μM by damaging germ cells and rachis in C. elegans model (PMID 32504655)
- Antiplasmodial … ailanthone and 6α-tigloyloxychaparrinone active against chloroquine-resistant and -sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strains (PMID 12820239)
PubMed References
- Cytotoxic quassinoids from Ailanthus altissima (2013)
- Extract and the quassinoid ailanthone from Ailanthus altissima inhibit nematode reproduction by damaging germ cells and rachis in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (2020)
- Antiplasmodial activity of extracts and quassinoids isolated from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima (2003)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold … cold, drying nature worsens cold-damp digestive patterns
- Kidney Yin deficiency bleeding … excessively drying action may aggravate Yin depletion
- Early-stage diarrhea or dysentery before pathogen clearance … astringency may trap pathogen
- Pregnancy … bitter, cold, drying nature; avoid use (MeAndQi)
Cautions
- Not for long-term use without practitioner supervision … quassinoid content may accumulate
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
- Dysentery Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Leukorrhea Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark used for?
Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark is traditionally used to Clears Heat and dries Dampness … used for damp-heat patterns presenting as diarrhea, dysentery, and bloody stools, Astringes the Intestines and stops bleeding … used for chronic loose stools, hemorrhage, and rectal bleeding from intestinal heat, Stops vaginal discharge … used for chronic leukorrhea from damp-heat pouring into the Lower Jiao, Stops abnormal uterine bleeding … used for heavy menstrual flow or uterine bleeding from damp-heat with blood heat. Research has investigated its effects on: Anticancer … ailanthone and quassinoids show potent cytotoxic activity against hepatoma cell lines Hep3B and HepG2; some compounds more active than doxorubicin against multidrug-resistant lines (PMID 23290052); Anthelmintic … ailanthone inhibits nematode reproduction with IC50 2.47 μM by damaging germ cells and rachis in C. elegans model (PMID 32504655).
What are other names for Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark?
Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark is also known as Ailanthi. In TCM: 椿皮 (Chun Pi); Cortex Ailanthi.
Is Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark safe during pregnancy?
Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark is not recommended during pregnancy.
What are the contraindications for Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark?
Ailanthus Bark, Tree of Heaven Bark should not be used in: Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold … cold, drying nature worsens cold-damp digestive patterns; Kidney Yin deficiency bleeding … excessively drying action may aggravate Yin depletion; Early-stage diarrhea or dysentery before pathogen clearance … astringency may trap pathogen; Pregnancy … bitter, cold, drying nature; avoid use (MeAndQi). Consult a qualified practitioner before use.