Ailanthus Glandulosa

Family: Simaroubaceae
Synonyms: Tree of Heaven, Chinese Sumach, Vernis de Japon, Ailanto (meaning Tree of the Gods)

Parts Used: Inner bark, root

Habitat: Native to China and India, but now cultivated throughout Europe, the United States, and other temperate regions.

Description:

Ailanthus glandulosa, often called the Tree of Heaven, is a fast-growing tree valued in traditional medicine, especially in China. Its bark, leaves, roots, and seeds have been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments, from mental health problems to infections and even baldness.

While initially appreciated for its ornamental value when introduced to Europe in the 1740s and America in 1784, it later earned a bad reputation because of its invasive nature, strong odor, and tendency to aggressively spread. Despite this, it became a common street tree in many cities and is still found widely today — though often considered a noxious weed in places like Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.

Chemical Composition:

Ailanthus glandulosa contains:

• Lignin

• Chlorophyll

• Pectin (a gelatinous substance)

• Quassin (a bitter compound)

• Odorous resin

• Volatile oil (trace)

• Starch

• Tannin

• Albumen

• Sugar

• Oleoresin

• Potash

• Phosphoric acid

• Sulphuric acid

• Iron

• Lime

• Magnesia

Alcoholic extraction yields a deep green color, which turns yellowish-brown over time, especially when exposed to air.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses:

In Chinese Medicine:

• Used for centuries, with records dating back to ancient Chinese texts like the Tang dynasty’s Compendium of Materia Medica.

• Leaves (internally): Induces sleep and incoherence.

• Leaves (externally): Treat boils, abscesses, itching skin conditions, and baldness (stimulating hair growth).

• Samaras (winged seeds): Called Feng Yan Cao ("Herbal Phoenix Eye") — used as a hemostatic (stops bleeding), for spermatorrhea, blood in urine or stools, and vaginal infections like trichomoniasis.

In European and Herbal Medicine:

• Used in cases of dysentery, diarrhea, leucorrhea, tapeworm infections, fevers, epilepsy, asthma, spasms, and heat-related illnesses.

• Sometimes an extract (under the synonym A. glandulosa) is marketed as an herbal remedy for certain cancers.

In Infectious Diseases:

Especially valued for treating low zymotic fevers (like scarlet fever, diphtheria, blood poisoning, and typhoid) characterized by red, mottled skin due to capillary congestion.

Summary:

Ailanthus glandulosa (Tree of Heaven) is a medicinal plant with a long, rich history in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Known for its antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory effects, it has traditionally been used for everything from fevers and digestive troubles to skin conditions and even sexual health issues. However, due to its invasive nature, it's now often considered a weed in many parts of the world.