Herb's Introduction
Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames, commonly known as Chinese Spiranthes or Ladies Tresses, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Orchidaceae family. It is an important medicinal plant, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as Shou cao or Panlongshen. This orchid is valued for both its distinctive ornamental beauty—characterized by its spirally arranged flowers—and its extensive history of use in herbal remedies. It is found widely distributed across Asia and Oceania. The fleshy rootstock of the plant is sometimes likened to that of ginseng, highlighting its perceived tonic and medicinal value in folk traditions. Due to its popularity and habitat destruction, the wild population has become increasingly scarce in recent years.
Name in Different Countries
The herb is known by various common names across its native range, reflecting its distinct appearance and traditional uses: English: Ladies Tresses, Chinese Spiranthes, Ribbon grass Chinese (Mandarin): 绶草 (Shou cao), 綬草 (Shou cao - Taiwan) French: Spiranthe de Chine Japanese: ネジバナ (Nejibana), 捩花 (Nejibana), ねじばな (Nejibana), ナンゴクネジバナ (Nangoku nejibana) Korean: 타래난초 (Ta rae nan cho), 타래란 (Ta rae ran) Russian: Скрученник китайский (Skruchennik kitajskij), Скрученноцветник китайский (Skruchennotsvetnik kitajskij) Serbian: Chinska wjertulka Thai: ผักไผ่ น้ำ (Phak phai nam - Chiang Mai), พอบพลอแหม่ (Phop plo mae - Karen) Vietnamese: Sâm cuốn chiếu, Bàn long sâm, Lan cuốn chiếu
Terminology
Scientific Name: Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames Family: Orchidaceae (The Orchid family) Common Names: Ladies Tresses, Chinese Spiranthes, Shou cao Synonyms: The plant has a complex taxonomic history with numerous synonyms, including Neottia sinensis Pers., Spiranthes australis (R. Br.) Lindl., and Gyrostachys australis (R. Br.) Blume, among others, which often reflects geographic variations or past taxonomic revisions. Part Used Medicinally: Traditionally, the entire plant and the tuberous rootstock are used.
Availability
Spiranthes sinensis is a perennial or tuberous geophyte distributed across a wide range, from Réunion, Assam, to South Central Japan and New Caledonia, growing primarily in the temperate biome. It is found in grassy areas, moist meadows, open forests, and roadsides. Although widely distributed, the wild population has become increasingly scarce in many areas due to overexploitation for medicinal use and habitat destruction. This scarcity emphasizes the need for conservation efforts and sustainable cultivation to meet medicinal demand. It is noted to occur in Nepal, as well, as part of the region's medicinal flora, though specific details on its abundance in Nepal require further local study.
External Look
Spiranthes sinensis is a small to medium-sized perennial plant, typically growing to about 13-30 cm in height. Roots: It grows from a cluster of fleshy, tuberous rootstocks. In traditional medicine, the root is sometimes compared to ginseng. Leaves: The plant produces a cluster of pointed, glossy, grass-like basal leaves. Flower Spike (Inflorescence): The most characteristic feature is the terminal spike of flowers, which is twisted into a tight spiral shape, resembling a braid or tress of hair—hence the common name 'Ladies Tresses'. The genus name Spiranthes itself is derived from the Greek for 'coil' or 'spiral' and 'flower'. Flowers: The small flowers, usually pale blush-pink, reddish-purple, or sometimes white, are arranged all around the spiral spike, blooming from spring to fall. The 'true' S. sinensis is typically glabrous and blooms in the spring with pale blush-pink flowers.
Healing Properties
The therapeutic values of Spiranthes sinensis are attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, which includes flavonoids, homocyclotirucallane, dihydrophenanthrenes, ferulic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. These compounds confer a range of significant pharmacological activities: Anti-inflammatory: Active compounds like phenanthrenes and flavonoids exhibit marked anti-inflammatory effects. Anti-tumor/Anti-cancer: Research suggests it possesses anti-tumor properties, with the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death) and suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Antioxidant: Ferulic acid, a key phenolic constituent, acts as a potent antioxidant by scavenging free radicals. Anti-diabetic: Traditional use and some studies point to its potential in treating diabetes. Antibacterial: It has been shown to possess anti-bacterial effects.
Advantages
The main advantages of Spiranthes sinensis as a medicinal herb lie in its multi-faceted therapeutic actions and traditional recognition: Broad Spectrum of Activity: It is traditionally and scientifically supported for a wide array of ailments, including inflammation, respiratory issues, and acting as a general tonic. Rich in Bioactive Compounds: The presence of flavonoids and phenanthrenes contributes to strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, which are crucial in managing many chronic diseases. Traditional Tonic Use: The tuberous roots are prized as a tonic, similar to ginseng in folk medicine, to combat general debility and neurasthenia. Support for Respiratory Ailments: It is specifically used for conditions like sore throat, tonsillitis, cough, and hemoptysis (coughing up blood), indicating its advantage in treating chest and throat disorders.
Uses
In traditional medicine systems, the whole plant or tubers of Spiranthes sinensis are employed to address a number of conditions: Respiratory and Throat Ailments: Tonsillitis, sore throat, cough, tuberculosis, and hemoptysis. General Debility: Used as a tonic for general weakness (debility) and neurasthenia (a historical term for fatigue, anxiety, and headache). Inflammatory Diseases: Widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Other Diseases: Traditional applications also include the treatment of cancer and diabetes, supported by modern pharmacological investigations. Fever: A decoction of the plants is traditionally used to treat intermittent fever.
Using way
The most common traditional method for using Spiranthes sinensis is through internal consumption, though the exact preparation and dosage may vary by tradition and specific ailment: Decoction: The whole plant or the tuberous roots are typically dried and then prepared as a decoction (a strong tea made by boiling the plant material in water). This decoction is consumed orally to treat conditions like fever and various internal complaints. Tonic Preparations: The fleshy tubers, often referred to as a "ginseng-like" root, are likely used in tonic preparations, sometimes in combination with other herbs, to address debility and general weakness. External Applications: While internal use is more prominent, some herbs in the Orchidaceae family are used externally, though specific external use for S. sinensis requires more detailed traditional knowledge. Important Note: As with all medicinal plants, it is crucial to consult a qualified healthcare professional or an expert in herbal medicine before using Spiranthes sinensis, particularly since the wild-harvested supply is becoming scarce and proper identification and preparation are essential.
Conclusion
Spiranthes sinensis, the elegant Ladies Tresses, stands as a historically significant medicinal orchid across Asia and Oceania. Beyond its delicate, spiraling flower—a natural wonder—it holds considerable therapeutic value, rooted in its traditional use as a remedy for respiratory issues, inflammatory conditions, and as a general tonic. Modern pharmacological research has begun to validate these uses, confirming the presence of bioactive compounds with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. Given its increasing scarcity in the wild due to demand and habitat loss, the focus must shift towards sustainable cultivation and continued scientific research to fully harness its medicinal potential while ensuring the conservation of this valuable botanical resource.
