Common Name:

General Information

Ilex hainanensis is a small evergreen tree, usually growing around 5 - 8 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild in large quantities for use as a health-promoting tea and a medicine. It is used as an ingredient in various proprietary medicines and is included in the Pharmacopeia of the People’s Republic of China as of 2010[].
Ilex hainanensis has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[, , ].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Yunnan)

Habitat

Dense forests, sparse forests, valleys, mountain slopes; at elevations from 400 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to make a tea, known as 'shanlv cha' that is said to have a range of health-promoting attributes, especially in its ability to regulate blood cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure and reduce inflammation[].

Medicinal

The leaves are the raw material of Shanlvcha tea, effectively used in the treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, and coronary heart disease[].


The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antiinflammatory, hypotensive[] They are used to regulate several body functions, for treating oedema, relieving pain, invigorating the blood and unblocking the collaterals. The leaves are used as a traditional tea product for relieving symptoms such as headache, dizziness and tinnitus, brain swelling, upset, irritability, and insomnia, In clinical practice, the leaves have also been used for treating numerous chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, etc[].
The extract of the leaves has been used in various preparations such as shan_lv_cha antihypertensive capsule, jue_ming_shan_lv_cha tablet, and shan_lv_cha antihypertensive tablet, which is included in the Pharmacopeia of the People’s Republic of China as of 2010[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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