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The Osmanthus Burkwoodii Flower and Its Many Medicinal Uses

Osmanthus burkwoodii is a type of flowering shrub native to East Asia. The plant, which is also sometimes referred to as sweet olive or tea olive, has a long history of medicinal use in China and Japan. Traditionally, the bark of the plant was used for stomach pain, while its leaves were used for rheumatic conditions. Today, medical science has confirmed many of the traditional uses — and modern research indicates that the flowers may have benefits as well.

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1. What are the benefits of osmanthus burkwoodii?

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2. How does the osmanthus burkwoodii flower benefit the body?

The osmanthus burkwoodii flower is used in Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. It has various benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.These properties work to fight conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, gout, and internal inflammation.

In Ayurveda, the brain is considered an organ of great importance, as it, along with the heart, liver, and spleen, play a role in digestion and regeneration. Certain plants have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to promote a healthy heart and function. Osmanthus is one such plant.

Osmanthus burkwoodii blooms from late summer through autumn, and blooms for up to six years. The compact foliage can result in irresistible fragrant clusters. The small, white petals are beautifully highlighted by the glossy black or dark purple calyx.

In the fall of 2018, UCSD scientists paired dried blooms, along with dried leaves and roots, with powder from Silybum marianum and tested their anti-inflammatory activity. The concentration of compatible compounds ranged from 40 to 105 times lower than that of placebo. This means the flowers may provide pain relief as effective as hydrocodone, zolpidem, and metoclopramide. This is good news for people suffering from arthritis, joint pain, and gout.

The research also revealed that Osmanthus may help prevent heart disease. And, although the plant doesn’t actually produce cholesterol, the flowers may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as they contain Vitamin A and E.

A six-year study of more than 200 elderly adults with existing heart disease found that those who consumed Osmanthus leaves and flowers daily experienced significant reductions in the need for hospitalization, hospitalization duration, and hospitalization-related expenditures. Patients also felt less depression, anxiety, and fatigue during the study.

For more information, visit the UCSD Arthritis and Rheumatology Department.

3. What are the healing properties of osmanthus burkwoodii and its flowers?

Osmanthus burkwoodii is a flowering plant in the olive family native to China, Japan and Korea. It is referred to as the tea olive because it is often used to flavor Chinese black tea. The flower of the plant is used as a traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM.Scientists have found an interesting compound in the plant. The study was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and the researchers stated:

“The present study investigated and quantified oleanolic acid and its main metabolite, dihydroxyoleanolic acid, isolated from traditional medicinal plants in a Li+ hexa-hydroxybutyric acid manner. Oleanolic acid exhibited antitussive activity toward human serum Albumin at high concentrations, with IC 50 values of 28.0+/-3.7 and 29.8+/-3.1 mM, respectively. The dihydroxyoleanolic acid metabolite and its antioxidant capacity were also investigated. The results indicated that oleanolic acid and its main metabolite are non-competitive inhibitors of PMA-induced cardiac function. The decarboxylated metabolite is anti-fibrotic and may be useful in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses many plants to treat a variety of illnesses. The researchers speculate that the extract from the tea oleoresin may have specific benefits if administered topically. The use of both the oleoresin and the blank extract from the plant was promising.

The exact composition and active ingredients of the tea compound have not been determined. However, oleanolic acid has been shown to be effective at reducing the size of carotid arteries in experimental animal models.

This article will primarily focus on the research regarding the use of oleanolic acid and its active constituents for treatment of various ailments.

The American Heart Association (AHA) provides specific recommendations for taking supplements when symptoms of a cardiovascular disease (CVD) are present, which can include heart failure, congestive heart failure, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. These conditions increase the inclination for your blood platelets to build-up, reducing your flexibility. As a result, heart metrics like step count, deep breathing, heart rate, and exercise capacity are decreased.

4. How long do osmanthus burkwoodii plants live, and how do you care for them?

The osmanthus burkwoodii plant, also known as the tea olive, is a perennial shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and wide. The osmanthus burkwoodii plant can grow in both sun and shade, and is a great addition to any garden.In its native place in East Asia, the shrub forms dense forests on stony soil in moist, acidic soil. The name tea olive comes from the fact that when the plant is in bloom, the flowers smell like tea and are thought to ease lethargy and promote sleep. Plant it in a spot that gets light all day and water it moderately throughout its growing season. The sweet-smelling blooms attract bees that help pollinate it, so don’t forget to bring home a few for your bees to enjoy.

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Osmanthus burkwoodii is an evergreen shrub to up to 6 feet across. It has dark green foliage that reaches its highest point at the tip when it reaches the full bloom stage. The curly tips of the leaves are arranged in 4-petaled calyx bands that are fuzzy to touch. They are the widely-used types of leaves in traditional Chinese medicine — a practice which still exists today.

The young leaves start out a light gray color but turn a light bronze as they mature. From the root to the tip of the leaf, the leaves grow up to be intensely green. At the base of each leaf is a simple white capsule that produces sticky nectar one whiff from the flower.

Osmanthus burkwoodii is native to China and Japan, so it is readily available. It prefers rich, moist soil with short intervals of dryness. It does not grow well in acidic or alkaline soils, and prefers acid soils with a pH slightly above 6.0.

Deep watering should be done only when the soil dries out. No need to worry about watering it too much when the flowers open because the leaves drop their disbursement the moment the soil dries out.