Polyscias fruticosa, or Ming aralia, is a perennial dicot evergreen shrub or dwarf tree native to India. The plant grows fairly slowly but can reach up to 1 to 2 meters in height. The leaves are of a dark green pigment, glossy in texture, and are tripinnate and appear divided. Individual leaves vary from narrowly ovate to lanceolate and are about 10 cm long.

It is often considered to be just variety of Polyscias fruticosa, although it’s leaf shape is significantly different. It’s other botanical synonymes are : Polyscias cumingiana, Aralia filicifolia, Aralia spectabilis, Nothopanax ornatus, Panax ornatus.

MEDICINAL USES

Polyscias fruticosa, Polyscias scutellaria, Polyscias guilfoylei and closely related species have long traditions of medicinal use in Southeast Asia and Polynesia. But nowadays even in those regions most of the people know those plants only as an ornamental plants, and never heard of their culinary uses and health benefits. Only in Vietnam it seems to have significant popularity as a medicinal herb. Polyscias fruticosa is called there – Dinh Lang, and is grown on many plantations, mostly for it’s roots considered to be Ginseng substitute (P.f. root is sometimes called Ginseng of the Poor due to the fact that it is significantly cheaper than Panax Ginseng root, while showing comparable adaptogenic and mind and body stimulation activity, thanks to the presence of the similar chemical compounds). P. fruticosa is sold in form of root powder capsules, sometimes in formulas with other herbs that stimulate mind and body. But it is still mostly popular in traditional form of dried root slices.
It is interesting that among quite a few pharmacological and medicinal studies on those shrubby Polyscias species, that was conducted in countries as different as Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Ghana, Egipt and France, some was made Poland and Russia. Both of those countries have climate not suitable for Polyscias plantations, due to cold winters. But their studies on Polyscias filicifolia resoulted in establishing the plant’s tissue cells labolatory multiplicantion production line in Russia. To sell it in extract form as a tonic, antistress, immunity enhancing food suplement – Vitagmal. Which according to producer is helping to prevent pregnancy complications, infertility and recurrent miscarriage, among having many other health benefits, and they also sell it in version made for children.

Leaves of P. fruticosa, P. scutellaria, P. guilfoylei and closely related shrubby Polyscias species contain several triterpenoid saponins, bisdesmosidic saponins, polyscisaponins (Polysciosides A-H), oleanolic acid and oleanolic acid derivatives, sterols, glycosides including cyanogenetic glycosides, oleanolic glycosides and triterpenic glycosides, calcium oxalate, peroxydase, amygdalin, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids.
It also contains phosphate, iron, fats, proteins, gums, vitamins A, B1 and C. and volatile oils (0.32%), that contain sesquiterpenes (b-elemene, n-elemene, a-bergamotene, u-bergamotene, germacrene-D, (E)gM-bisabolene, 3-bourbonene, 3-CUbebene, a-farnesene, p-farnesene and a-humulene) and sesquiterpenoid alcohols.
The root is rich in saponins and also contains polyacetylenes, falcarinol and heptadeca derivatives.

All of those shrubby Polyscias species have the same healing properties, and all parts of those plants can be used, fresh or dried. Leaves and young shoots and roots can be eaten fresh or cooked, or used fresh or dried to make infusions. Tough old roots, bark, stems and trunk are usually used dried and sliced to make decoctions, but it is also taken in form of powder. Tinctures can be made from any part of the plants but it is rarely used. All plant parts of those Polyscias species are bitter, spicy and fragrant, and it’s actions are stimulating, adaptogenic, nerves calming, pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, digestive, detoxifying, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, febrifuge, antidiabetic, antiulcer, astringent, cardiostatic, and it stimulate blood circulation, but while the leaves are rather refreshing-cooling, the roots have worming and sudoriphic effect. Studies on Polyscias have shown that it restores the activity of the protein synthesis system in the conditions of long- and short-term anoxia, and reduces the effect of many mutagens in vitro.

Internally this herb is taken as a general tonic, to prevent fatigue, increase immunity, boost stamina, enhance brain functions, relief stress, and also :

– It is used for the treatment of ischemia and inflammation and to increase blood flow in the brain.

– Roots or leaf decotions are drunk to ease headaches, neuralgia and joint pain.

– The plants decoctions or boiled leaves are taken as a diuretic in treatment of kidneys proplems, especially in cases of stones and dysuria. In the Philippines the leaves are dipped in boiling water and applied hot to the region opposite the bladder to induce urination.

– The roots induce sweatings and all parts of those plants are taken to treat fevers. Roots decoctions are not only drunk but also used for sweat inducincing inhalations. In Papua New Guinea leaves of Polyscias filicifolia are eaten fresh to cure malaria.

– The plants decoctions are used to treat many gastric maladies like dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhoea and dysentery. Tests results have shown that both leaf and root extracts posses anti gastrointestinal ulcer activity similar to that of a ginseng.

– In Ghana decoctions from P. fruticosa are drunk and used for inhalations in the traditional treatment for asthma.

– In Vanatu Islands the leaves are heated and eaten, or leaf or stem bark juice or decoctions are drunk by women after childbirth, to help expel the placental fragments and protect from post-partum infections. The leaves are reputed to be used in treatment which faciliate childbirth.

– In the Western Pacific, macerated bark is used for treatment of ciguatera poisoning (Ciguatera is a specific type of food poisoning caused by consumption of tropical fish, that contain toxins from particular algae it feed on).

Those Polyscias species are also often used externally :

– Powder made from leaves is applied on a wound to stop swelling and inflammation. It can be also added to ointments. Crushed fresh parts of the plants are applied as a antiseptic poultice on wounds and ulcers.

– Polyscias pounded leaf paste is also applied on skin affected with diseases, like scabies and ringworm. The bark is applied as a cold poultice on syphilitic sores.

– Crushed fresh parts of the plants are applied externally as a poultice for neuralgia and rheumatism

– The roots and twigs are used to clean gums, teeth and mouth ulcers. Juice from bark is taken as a remedy for thrush and an ulcerated tongue or throat. The juice is also used to relief toothache, and crushed leaves are applied in place of aching tooth or gums.

– Crushed leaves are used in treatment of earache in Fiji.

– In Malaysia pounded leaves are formed into an elongated mass and inserted in rectum for night to treat hemorrhoids. Decoctions of leaves are also drunk to treat hemorrhoids.

– In Indonesia, leaf juice mixed with coconut oil and tumeric applied over breast engorgement. The herb poultice is reputed to stimulate milk flow.

– In Indonesia, coconut oil with leaf juice of P. scutellaria is gently massaged to the scalp to promote hair growth. The plant’s hair growth activity was proven in tests, as it showed hastening of hair growth in male rats.

– This herb have aslo aplication as a deodorant

Basicly there is no contraindications for use of those Polyscias species, or side effects, unless individual person is sensitive to it. However long term constant use and lack of moderation in Polycsias consumption, probably can cause similar effects to prolonged overuse of Ginseng (including heart palpitations). Consumption of big quantity of Polyscias might cause diarrhoea. Because of it’s stimulating effect, this herb can cause insomnia if taken shortly before a sleep time.
Only very small doses can be given to children. There is report about – ” a two-year-old who was seen chewing the leaves turned red and ran a fever, had a dry mouth and dilated pupils, had difficulty standing, and exhibited what are only called “peculiar” movements.”
There are reported cases of skin alergic reactions like inflammations, rush and swellings, caused by skin’s contact with sap of those shrubby Polyscias species, or even by brushing against its leaves.

Other uses:

• Along with medicinal purposes, Polyscias fruticosa is also used as an ornamental plant and a spice.

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