Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), of the Simaroubaceae family. Fast-growing deciduous tree with large pinnate leaves and papery winged seeds; native range: northern and central China; naturalised as a weed tree across Europe and North America. Globally recognized as chun pi / chou chun (臭椿) in Chinese, and ailanthus, copal tree, stinking sumach in English. The part used is root and stem bark (cortex). Pale fibrous inner bark, intensely bitter and astringent, with a rank, faintly nauseous smell when fresh.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
TREE OF HEAVEN
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- tree of heaven
- Scientific name
- Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
- Family
- Simaroubaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and stem bark (cortex)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · astringent
- Western
- bitter · astringent
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Large Intestine · Stomach · Liver
- Western
- bowels · intestines
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat and dries dampness, astringes the intestines, cools the blood and stops bleeding, stops leukorrhoea and kills parasites
- Western
- astringent, antispasmodic, anthelmintic; formerly given in dysentery and diarrhoea
Cautions
Contraindications: unsuited to diarrhoea from cold-deficiency without damp-heat; avoid in pregnancy
Toxicity: large or fresh doses cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headache; the fresh bark and sap can irritate the skin
Interactions
- Western
- anticoagulants: astringent tannins may bind and reduce absorption of co-taken drugs
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