About Lindera obtusiloba Blume
Lindera obtusiloba, commonly called blunt-lobed spice bush, is a species of flowering plant in the laurel family, Lauraceae. It is native to China, Korea, and Japan. It is a spreading deciduous shrub or small tree that grows to 6 m (20 ft) in both height and width. It produces glossy aromatic leaves and deep yellow flowers that emerge in spring before the leaves develop. As the species name suggests, young juvenile leaves are lobed and deep purple in color. The leaves commonly turn yellow in the autumn. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. A water extract of Lindera obtusiloba has been found to inhibit mast-cell-derived allergic inflammation in both in vitro and in vivo studies, which suggests it may have potential uses for treating allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. The plant contains the anti-histamine compound koaburaside, and it is also a source of the valuable compound obtusilic acid.
