Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Ailanthi Cortex |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 椿皮 · Chun Pi |
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| Medicinal Part | Tree barks and root barks |
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| Efficacy Category | Heat-clearing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried root bark or trunk bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Wingle (Simaroubaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter, Astringent; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Large Intestine, Stomach, Liver |
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What Is Chun Pi?
Chun Pi (Heaven Ailanthus Root - bark or Bark) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in northern China and Zhejiang.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter, Astringent; Cold
Channels Entered: Large Intestine, Stomach, Liver
Chun Pi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Ailanthi Cortex
Botanical Origin
The dried root bark or trunk bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Wingle (Simaroubaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in northern China and Zhejiang.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has lack rough skin and thick flesh, and yellowish-white inner surface.
Macroscopic Features
Root bark consists of uneven flat pieces or curled pieces, uneven length, 2~5(~10)mm thick; externally grayish yellow or yellowish-brown, rough, with obvious lenticels, longitudinally lengthened, slightly raised, sometimes the cortex has fallen off of the outer surface; pale yellowish-white; inner surface is pale yellow, relatively flat, with dense small fusiform holes or small spots. Firm and brittle texture; very fibrous fractured surface, the outer surface easily falls off. faintly oily odor that increases when broken; bitter taste. Trunk bark consists of board-shaped pieces, externally grayish-yellow or yellowish-brown; with irregular longitudinal and horizontal cracks, large lenticels, pale brownish-yellow when peeled; fractured surface is granular.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter, Astringent; ColdLarge IntestineStomachLiver
Traditional Functions
Clears heat and dries dampness, astringes and stops leucorrhea, stops diarrhea, stops bleeding.
How Chun Pi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Chun Pi is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs.
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
