Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Orchid Biology pp 213–283Cite as

Three orchids used as herbal medicines in China: an attempt to reconcile Chinese and Western pharmacology

  • Chapter

Abstract

The use of orchids as herbal medicines has a very long history in China (Hu, 1971). A total of 365 plants, including several orchids (Figs. 6-1–6-52, Tables 6-1, 6-2), is listed in the earliest known Chinese Materia Medica (Shen Nung Pên-tsao Ching, Divine Husbandsman’s Classic of the Materia Medica; Hu, 1971). Authorship of this classic has been attributed to Sheng Nong, the mythical Chinese ‘Divine Husbandman’ (3484 BC). According to various sources, it first appeared in the late Han (Hou Han; 25–220 AD) and became a medical professional text through the editorial work of Wu Pu of the Wei period (220–265 AD; see the preface of the 1955 edition of Sheu Nung Pên-tsao Ching and Table 6-3). However, it has also been suggested that this classic was compiled not earlier than the first century AD by unknown authors and reconstructed later by Tao Hong Jing (452–536 AD), the famous Taoist (Bensky et al., 1986). Yet another view is that this Materia Medica must have been compiled after Confucius (551–478 BC) because the Confucian school of thought was used to classify drugs and describe their functions (Hu, 1971). Drugs were classified (Wu, 1955; Li, 1977), as superior (king), medium (ministers) and inferior (subordinate officers).

The literature review pertaining to this chapter was concluded on 23 November 1994; it was submitted in December 1994 and received in revised form on 18 April 1995.

When figures were taken from journals or provided by an individual the sources (name of journal, plate number, volume, year or name of the individual) are given in the captions only. If the illustrations were taken from other books or articles the sources are cited in the usual fashion (name, date) and listed in the literature cited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Afanas’ev, I. B. 1991. Superoxide ion: Chemistry and biological implications. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aiton, W. T. 1813. Hortus Kewensis. Longmans, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown. London. Anonymous. 1854a. Dendrobium nobile. Illustration Hort., J. Special des Serres et des Jardins 1:28. Anonymous. 1854b. Dendrobium fimbriatum var. oculatum W. Hook. Illustration Hort., J. Special des Serres et des Jardins 1: Plate 13 and the following 3 pages, no pagination.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous. 1966. Lecture notes on Chinese medicine. Chengdu Chinese College. Medical Health Publishing Co. Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous. 1975. Chinese Herbal Medicine (Zhong Cao Yao Xue). Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine. Commercial Press. Honmg Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous. 1977. Encyclopedia of Chinese materia media. Jingsu College of New Medicine. People’s Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous. 1978. A simplified edition of grand materia medica (Ben Cao Gang Jian Pian). Biology Department, Wuhan University. Hubei People’s Press, Wughan, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. 1967. Factors affecting the germination of orchid seeds. Bot. Rev. 33: 1–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. 1979. Aspects of the physiology of orchids. Adv. Bot. Res. 7: 421–655.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. 1992. Fundamentals of Orchid Biology. Wiley-Interscience, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J., Clements, M. A., Fast, G., Hadley, G., Nishimura, G. and Ernst, R. 1982. Orchid seed germination–A manual. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. II. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 243–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. and Ernst, R. 1984. Physiology of germinating orchid seeds. In J. Arditti (ed.) Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. III. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 177–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. and Ernst, R. 1993. Micropropagation of Orchids. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badwey, J. A. and Karnovsky, M. L. 1986. Production of superoxide by phagocytic leukocytes: A paradigm for stimulus responses phenomena. Curr. Topics Cell. Reg. 28: 183–209.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, L., Kato, T., Inoue, K., Yamaki, M. and Takagi, S. 1991. Nonpolar constituents from Bletilla striata. 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blestrianol-A, Blestrianol-B and Blestrianol-C, biphenanthrenes from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 30:2733–2735.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai, L., Kato, T., Inoue, K., Yamaki, M. and Takagi, S. 1993. Stilbenoids from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 33: 1481–1483.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, L., Yamaki, M., Inoue, K. and Takagi, S. 1990. Blestrin A and B, bis(dihydrophenanthrene) ethers from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 29: 1259–1260.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banerji, M. L. and Pradhan, P. 1984. The Orchids of Nepal Himalaya. J. Cramer, FL-9490 Vaduz, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, J. 1867. A Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants. L. Reeve and Co., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bensky, D., Gamble, X. and Kaptchuk, T. 1986. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Estland Press, Seattle, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bensky, D., Gamble, X. and Kaptchuk, T. 1987. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 2nd printing. Eastland Press, Seattle, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, N. 1911. Sur la fonction fungicide des bulbes d’ophrydées. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Series 9, 14: 221–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, E. O. 1962. The mycorrhiza of Gastrodia cunninghamii Hook f. Trans. R. Soc. N. Z. 1: 289–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, E. O. 1963a. The fungal association in a colony of Gastrodia sesamoides R. Br. Trans. R. Soc. N. Z. 2: 237–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, E. O. 1963b. Gastrodia minor Petrie, an epiparasite of manuka. Trans. R. Soc. N. Z. 2: 73–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, H. M. and But, P. H. (eds). 1987. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica. Vol 1. World Scientific Publishing Co. Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K. K. 1925. Chinese drug stores. Ann Hist. Med. 7: 103–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K. K. and Chen, A. L. 1935a. The alkaloid of Chin-Shih-hu. J. Biol. Chem. 111: 653–658.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K. K. and Chen, A. L. 1935b. The pharmacological action of dendrobine, the alkaloid of Chin-Shih-hu. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 55: 319–325.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K. K. and Rose, C. L. 1936. Detoxification of dendrobine by `sodium amytal.’ Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 34: 553–554.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S.-C. and Tang, T. 1982. General review of the orchid flora of China. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. II. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 39–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow, S. and Chen, S. C. 1983. Notes on Chinese Gastrodia. Acta Bot. Yunanica 5: 361–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng, S.-X. and Mo, Y.-J. 1979. Pharmacological studies on Gastrodia elata Bluma (sic, Blume is correct). I. The sedative and anticonvulsant effects of synthetic gastrodin and its genin. Acta Bot. Yunnanica 1: 66–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, J. 1984. Effect of plant hormones and culture media on the germination of seeds of Gastrodia elata. Acta Bot. Yunnanica 6234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, R. and Rodriguez, E. 1984. Carbohydrates of the Orchidaceae. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. III. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 223–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falstad, C. H. 1980. Regeneration in vitro of the orchid genera Bletilla and Phalaenopsis. Hort. Sci. 15: 426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, X. Z., Chen, Y. W. and Yang, J. S. 1979. Studies on constituents of Tian-ma (Gastrodia elata Bl.) Acta Chim. Sinica 37: 175–182.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, L. K. (ed.) 1992. China Plant Red Data Book: Rare and Endangered Plants 1:494–495. Science Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gagnepain, F. and Guilaumin, A. 1932–1934. Orchidacées. Flore Générale d L’Indo-Chine. Masson et Cie. Paris, France.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. J. and Arditti, J. 1985. Orchidaceae. In A. H. Halevy (ed.), Handbook of Flowering Plants. CRC Press. Boca Raton, Florida, p. 309–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. J., Strauss, M. S. and Arditti, J. 1982. Flower induction and physiology in orchids. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. II. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 212–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadley, G. 1982. Orchid mycorrhiza. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. II. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 83–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto, T. and Kanda, K. 1981. Japanese Indigenous Orchids in Colour. Ienohikari Assoc., Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausen, B. 1984. Toxic and allergenic orchids. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. III. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 261–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hew, C. S. 1994. Orchid cut-flower production in ASEAN countries. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. VI. John Wiley and Sons, New York, p. 363–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herklots, G. A. C. 1973. Nepalese and Indian orchids. Orchid Rev. 81: 319–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hills, K. A., Stoessl, A., Oliva, A. P. and Arditti, J. 1984. Effects of orchinol, loroglossol, dehydroorchinol, batatasin III and 3,4’-dihydroxy-5-methoxydihydrostilbene on orchid seedlings. Bot. Gaz. 145: 298–301.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, S. Y. 1970. Dendrobium in Chinese medicine. Econ. Bot. 24: 165–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, S.-Y. 1971. Orchids in the life and culture of the Chinese people. Chung Chi J. 10: 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, W. Y. and Qian, Z. H. 1987. The synthesis of fluorinated gastrodin. Acta Chim. Sinica 45: 1175–1179.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, P. F. and Kijima, T. 1978. The Orchid. Octopus Books, Ltd., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ichihashi, S. 1978. Studies on the media for orchid seed germination. Pt. 2. The effects of anionic and cationic combinations relevant to seedling populations and culture periods on the growth of Bletilla striata. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 46: 521–529.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ichihashi, S. 1979a. Studies on the media for orchid seed germination. III. Effects of total ionic concentration, cation/anion ratio, NH;/NO; ratio and minor elements on the growth of Bletilla striata. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 47: 524–536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ichihashi, S. 1979b. Studies on the media for orchid seed germination. IV. Influence of the characteristics of some culture media on the growth of orchid seedlings. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 48: 345-352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ichihashi, S. and Yamashita, M. 1977. Studies on the media for orchid seed germination. Pt. 1. The effects of balances inside each cation and anion group for the germination and seedling development of Bletilla striata seeds. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 45: 407–413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, Z.-Y. and Chang, T.-H. 1961. Antiepileptic effects of Gastrodia elata and vanillin Acta Physiol. Sinica 24: 187–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, K. and Migo, H. 1936. New species of Dendrobium from the Chinese drug Shih-hu. J. Shanghai Sci. Inst. Sect. III, Vol. 3:121–124, Tab VI-X.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusano, S. 1911. Preliminary note on Gastrodia elata and its mycorrhiza. Ann. Bot. 25: 521–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusano, S. 1911–1914. Gastrodia elata and its symbiotic association with Armillaria melea. J. Coll. Agric. Imperial Univ. Tokyo 4:1–65, plates I-V.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusumoto, M. and Ishido, F. 1977. Dendrobium nobile Lindl. Plants Nature 11: 12–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, L. J. 1984. Ethnobotany of the Orchidaceae. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. III. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 27–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemaire, C. 1854. Dendrobium nobile. L’Illustration Horticole. 1: 28–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S. C. 1977. Pan-tso Kang-Mu (1977 edition of a book published during the Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644 AD). People’s Health Publishing Co., Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, S. C. 1982. Fundamental of Traditional Chinese Medical Prescription. Guangdong Science and Technology Press. Guangzhou, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W. S. and Kapoor, M. 1992. Increase in superoxide production by heat shocked cells of Neurospora crassa demonstrated by fluorometric assay. Int. J. Biochem. 24: 1081–1086.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W. S., Wong, F. and Anderson, R. 1987. Role of superoxide in radiation killing of E. coli and in thymine release from thymidine Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 147: 778–786.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W. S., Chan, W. C. L. and Hew, C. S. 1995. Superoxide and traditional Chinese medicines. J. Ethnopharmacol. 48: 165–171.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Y. D., Liang, Y. D., Liang, S. G., Zhang, S. X. and Chi, C. S. 1990. Synthesis of fluorine-containing natural gastrodin and its analogs. J. Fluorine Chem. 46: 367–374.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindley, J. 1830–1840. The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. Ridgways, London (reprint by J. Asher, Amsterdam, 1963 ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindley, J. 1838. Sertum Orchidaceum: A Wreath of the Most Beautiful Orchidaceous Flowers. James Ridgway and Sons, London (reprint by Johnson Reprint Corporation, New York, and Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Amsterdam, ca 1974 ).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lindley, J. 1847. Bletia gebina. J. Hort. Soc. Lond. 2: 307–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J. and Mori, A. 1992. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of Gastrodia elata Bl. and Uncaria rhynchophylla ( Miq.) Jacks. Neuropharmacology 31: 1287–1298.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loureiro, J. 1790. Flora Cochinchinensis. Lisbon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüning, B. 1974. Alkaloids of the Orchidaceae. In C. L. Withner (ed.), The Orchids: Scientific Studies. John Wiley and Sons. New York, p. 349–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maekawa, F. 1971. The Wild Orchids of Japan in Color. S + S, Tokyo, Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagashima, T. 1982. Studies on the relationship between embryogenesis and seed-germination in Orchidaceae. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 62: 581–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagashima, T. 1993. Studies on relationship between embryogenesis and germination in Orchidaceae. J. Jpn. Soc. Hort. Sci. 62: 581–594.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Namba, T. and Lin. C.-C. 198la. Pharmacognostical studies on the crude drugs of Orchidaceae from Taiwan (IV). On chiòh-hàk’ (1). Shoyakugaku Zasshi 35: 221–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namba, T. and Lin. C.-C. 198 lb. Pharmacognostical studies on the crude drugs of Orchidaceae from Taiwan (V). On chiòh-hàk’ (2). Shoyakugaku Zasshi 35: 233–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Needham, J, Lu, G. D. and Huang. H.-T. 1986. Science and Civilization in China, Vol. 6. Biology and Biological Technology. Part I. Botany. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohtsuki, T. 1937a. Studien über Cremastramannan’ das Mannan des japanischen Saleps. Acta Phytochim. 10: 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohtsuki, T. 1937b. Untersuchung über das Bletillamannan, ein Mannan aus den Knollen von Bletilla striata. Acta Phytochim. 10: 29–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto, T., Natsume, M., Onaka, T., Uhcimaru, F. and Shimizu, M. 1972. Further studies on the alkaloidal constituents of Dendrobium nobile (Orchidaceae) - structure determination of 4-hydroxy-dendroxine and nobilomethylene. Chem Pharm. Bull. 20: 418–421.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyanagi, Y. 1981. Speroxide and Medicine. Kyoritus-Shuppan Co., Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, L. M. and Metzger, J. 1990. Medicinal plants of East and Southeast Asia: Attributed Properties and Uses. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, U. C. 1976. Indian Orchids: Guide to Identification and Culture. Published by the author at Rishi Road, Kalimpong 734301, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raabe, R. D. 1962. A host list of the root fungus, Armillaria mellea. Hilgardia 33:25–88. R.abe, R. D. 1966. Variation of Armillaria mellea in culture. Phytopathology 56: 1241–1244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raabe, R. D. 1967a. Variation in pathogenicity and virulence in Armillaria mellea. Phytopathology 57: 73–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raabe, R. D. 1967b. Plants resistant or susceptible to Armillaria root rot. Agric. Extension Ser., Univ. Calif. Publication AXT-6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, D. P. 1993. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Shambhala Press, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, T. and Kindl, H. 1994. Characterization of bibenzyl synthase catalysing the biosynthesis of phytoalexins in orchids. Phytochemistry 35: 63–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sano, Y., Kataoka, T. and Kosugi, K. 1961. On the flower bud differentiation and the effect of gibberellin on the forcing of Bletilla striata Rchb. f. J. Jap. Soc. Hort. Sci. 30: 178–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlechter, R. 1911–1912. Die Gattung Bletilla Rchb. f. Rep. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 10: 254–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidenfaden, G. 1980. Orchid genera in Thailand. IX. Flickingeria Hawkes and Epigeneum Gagnep. Dansk. Bot. Ark. 34:1–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidenfaden, G. 1992. The orchids of Indochina. Opera Bot. 114: 1–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidenfaden, G. and Smitinand, T. 1959–1965. The Orchids of Thailand: A Preliminary List. The Siam Society, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slaytor, M. B. 1977. The distribution and chemistry of alkaloids in the Orchidaceae. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. I. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 95–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. E. 1805. Cymbidium hyacinthinum. Exotic Bot. 1:117–118, tab. 60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spatz, L. and Bloom, A. D. 1992. Biological Consequences of Oxidation Stress: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease and Carcinogenesis. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoessl, A. and Arditti, J. 1984. Orchid phytoalexins. In J. Arditti (ed.), Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. III. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, p. 151–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takagi, S., Yamaki, M and Inoue, K. 1983. Anti-microbial agents from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 22: 1011–1015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talapatra, B., Mukhopadhyay, P., Chaudry, P. and Talapatra, S. K. 1982. Denbinobin, a new phenanthraquinone from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (Orchidaceae). Ind. J. Chem. 21B: 386–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, K. W. 1969. The systematic status of the genus Bletilla ( Orchidaceae ). Brittonia 21: 202–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Z.-Z. and Cheng, S.-J. 1984. A study of the raw plants for the Chinese traditional medicine `Huoshan Shi-Hu’. Bull. Bot. Res. 4: 141–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thunberg, C. P. 1784. Flora Japonica. I. G. Mülleriano. Lipsiae.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thunberg, C. P. 1794. Botanical observations on the Flora Japonica. Trans. Linn Soc. London 2: 326–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsi, Z.-H. 1980. A preliminary study of the orchid genus Dendrobium Sw. in China Acta Phytotax. Sinica 18: 427–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valmayor, H. L. 1984. Orchidiana Philippiniana. Eugenio Lopez Foundation, Manila, Philippines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, P. 1955. Shen Nung Pên-tsao Ching (new edition of a book published during the Wei period, 220–265 A.D.) Commercial Press, Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yam, T. W. 1989. Conservation, Ecology and Propagation of the Wild Orchids of Hong Kong. PhD Dissertation. University of Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yam, T. W. and Weatherhead, M. A. 1991. Root-tip culture of several native orchids of Hong Kong. Lindleyana 6: 151–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi, S. 1979. Determination of several elements in orchid plant parts by neutron activation analysis. J. Am. Hort. Soc. 104: 739–742.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Bai, L., boue, K. and Takagi, S. 1989. Biphenanthrenes from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 28: 3503–3505.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Bai, L., Inoue, K. and Takagi. S. 1990. Benzylphenanthrenes from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 29: 2285–2287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Bai, L., Kato, T., Inoue, K. and Takagi, S. 1993a. Three dihydrophenanthropyrans from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 32: 427–430.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Bai, L., Kato, T., Inoue, K., Takagi, S., Yamagata, Y. and Tornita, K.-I. 1992. Bisphenanthrene ethers from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 31: 3985–3987.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Bai, L., Kato, T., Inoue, K., Takagi, S., Yamagata, Y. and Tornita, K. 1993b. Blespirol, a phenanthrene with a spirolactone ring from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 33: 1497–1498.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Kato, T., Bai, L., Inoue, K. and Takagi, S. 1991. Methylated stilbenoids from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 30: 2759–2760.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaki, M., Kato, T., Bai, L., Inoue, K. and Takagi, S. 1993c. Phenanthrene glucosides from Bletilla striata. Phytochemistry 34: 535–537.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, X. C. (ed.) 1988. Chinese Medicine. Shanghai Chinese Physician’s College Publishing Co. Shanghai.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., Pu, X. G. and Yang, Y. 1982. Nine phenolic compounds of fresh Gastrodia elata Blume. Kexue Tongbao 27: 179–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., Yang, Y. B. and Yang, R. T. 1979. The chemistry of Gastrodia elata Bl. I. Isolation and identification of chemical constituents of Gastrodia elata Bl. Acta Chim. Sinica 37: 183–189.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., Yang, Y. B. and Yang, R. T. 1980. Chemical study of Gastrodia elata Bl. II. The synthesis of gastrodin and related compounds. Acta Chem. Sinica 38: 162–168.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X. 1981. The life cycle of Gastrodia elata Blume. Acta Botanica Yunnanica 3: 197–202.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. C. S. Hew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Arditti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. S. Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA

    Joseph Arditti

  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK

    Alec M. Pridgeon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hew, C.S., Arditti, J., Lin, W.S. (1997). Three orchids used as herbal medicines in China: an attempt to reconcile Chinese and Western pharmacology. In: Arditti, J., Pridgeon, A.M. (eds) Orchid Biology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2498-2_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2498-2_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4837-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-2498-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation