Platycladus orientalis
Platycladus orientalis
Safety & Hazards
The essential oil in this plant contains thujone. Thujone is a GABA receptor antagonist which allows neurons to fire more easily. In larger doses this can cause muscle spasms and convulsions, and can also be toxic to brain, kidney, and liver cells. There has been a lot of negative press regarding thujone, particularly in the mid 19th century when thujone was reported to be more dangerous than alcohol - since shown to be exaggerated; and reports in the 1970’s that it might have a similar effect on the brain to THC (found in cannabis) – since found to be incorrect. Thujone is probably best known for its use in the alcoholic drink ‘Absinthe’. It is also found in the essential oils of many other plants that are used in herbal medicines and foods, including Arborvitae (Thuja species), some Junipers (Juniperus species), Wormwoods (especially Artemisia absinthium) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). There are some legal restrictions in various countries on the quantity of thujone that can be added to foods and drinks and these vary between countries. Side effects from consuming thujone can include sleeplessness and anxiety but, unless the pure essential oil is used, the quantity of thujone found in plants is well within safety levels. Pregnant women, however, may be advised to restrict their use of thujone-containing plants. The leaves are toxic if eaten[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ]. The plant can also cause skin allergies in sensitive people[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].
Botanical Description
Platycladus orientalis is a much-branched, evergreen tree with a conical crown when young, becoming broadly rounded or irregular when old; it can grow 20 metres or more tall. The striaght, cylindrical bole can be 100cm or more in diameter[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. A commonly used medicinal herb in China, where the plant is harvested from the wild and also cultivated. The plant is also valued for its wood and is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge.This is also one of the most commonly planted amenity and ornamental conifers, a tradition that goes back many centuries. It is therefore a common tree in parks of towns and cities in much of temperate Asia[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. This is possibly the most widely introduced cupressaceous conifer in Asia. In many areas inside and outside China it has 'escaped' from cultivation and established spontaneous populations. It is therefore very difficult to establish its natural range but it is likely to be native only in parts of the listed provinces and in a restricted area in Korea and adjacent Russia. The original extent of occurrence of this species, before people planted them everywhere, is much smaller but difficult to establish. From what we know it is likely that mature trees in natural forests are quite rare. The situation in Russia is unknown. Exploitation for timber of larger trees in its natural habitat has caused a decline in the number of mature individuals. How much this has impacted on the total population is difficult to establish due to uncertainty about its natural distribution. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. In some parts of China (e.g. Yunnan) and in other countries (e.g. Iran) it has probably been naturalized[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].