(Redirected from Ehretia microphylla)

This name is not universally accepted. In the Flora of China[], the name Carmona microphylla is used, whilst in several other publications the name Ehretia microphylla is used[].

Common Name: Fukien Tea

General Information

Fukien tea is an evergreen shrub or much-branched small tree, usually growing 1 - 4 metres tall, but with occasional specimens to 10 metres[, ].
The plant ranks among the top 10 of medicinal plants with potential in the Philippines, and thus a small-scale industry has developed around it[]. It is sometimes grown, especially in the Philippines, for the leaves which are used as a tea substitute and for medicinal purposes[]. It is also often grown as an ornamental and hedge plant and is a popular subject for bonsai[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Open, dry, sunny habitats, such as thickets, shrub vegetation and teak forest at low and moderate elevations[]. Sandy soils and scrub forests[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant has escaped from cultivation in Hawaii and become naturalized in secondary vegetation[].
Plants can flower all year round[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a substitute for tea[, , ].

Medicinal

The leaves are antidiarrhoeal, febrifuge and stomachic[]. An infusion is used as a remedy for stomach problems, dysentery and coughs[, ].

The root is considered an antidote against plant-based poisoning and an alterative in cachexia and syphilis[, ]. Furthermore, it is traditionally used to stop the haemorrhaging resulting from the bite of the viper Echis carinatus[]

The roots are reported to be ingested to clean the body after childbirth[].

The plant has been shown to contain a range of medically active constituents.
The leaves contain rosmarinic acid, flavonoid glycosides and triterpenoids[]. Rosmarinic acid, a phenylacrylic acid derivative, is a known inhibitor of histamine release and a methanol extract of the leaves has shown strong antihistamine release properties[].
In an experiment in the Philippines, tablets from the dried leaves reduced the formation of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes induced by mitomycin C, tetracycline, and dimethylnitrosamine. This suggests that these tablets possess antimutagenic activity[]
The root bark contains ehretianone, microphyllone and ehretianone[]. Ehretianone, a quinonoid xanthene, has been shown to give protection against the action of snake venom[]. Microphyllone and ehretianone have shown antibacterial activity against a panel of bacteria[].
Many membes of this genus contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids and quinoid or phenolic compounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as an ornamental hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings, preferably of top shoots or young leafy shoots[]. The roots develop slowly over a period of 1-2 months[].

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