Giant false spiraea
StarSorbaria kirilowii
Synonyms: Sorbaria sorbifolia var. kirilowii, Spiraea kirilowii, Basilima kirilowii
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Sorbaria kirilowii is used as a folk medicine in China, Korea and Japan, where the root is valued for 'clearing heat and resolving toxicity' (qing re jie du) and is applied for inflammatory and toxic-heat conditions. This traditional use is supported by species-specific pharmacology: an ethanol extract of S. kirilowii exerts anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, suppressing nitric oxide production and inflammation-related cytokines by targeting the Src/NF-kappaB pathway (Kim et al., 2020). These East Asian folk uses fall outside the official Chinese, Western and Ayurvedic core materia medica and are classed here as other.
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Botanical Description
Sorbaria kirilowii, known as the giant false spiraea or in Chinese as zhen zhu mei (珍珠梅, 'pearl plum'), is a deciduous shrub of the rose family (Rosaceae) native to northern and central China and widely cultivated as an ornamental across East Asia. It grows 2 to 3 m tall, forming clumps of arching stems with large, pinnately compound leaves bearing numerous lance-shaped, sharply double-toothed leaflets that give the foliage a feathery appearance. In summer it produces large, plume-like terminal panicles of many small, creamy-white flowers; the rounded buds resemble pearls before opening, hence the Chinese name. The numerous stamens are about as long as the petals. The fruit is a small, cylindrical follicle, and the species spreads readily by suckering.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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