Overview
Eucommia ulmoides, commonly called Du Zhong in Chinese medicine, is a unique tree species that serves dual purposes in traditional healthcare and modern industry. As one of the few temperate rubber-producing plants, it has gained global attention for sustainable rubber alternatives. The tree typically grows 10-20 meters tall with oblong leaves and inconspicuous flowers. Its most valuable parts are the bark, which contains pharmacologically active compounds, and the leaves that yield gutta-percha, a natural rubber substitute. The species is listed as endangered in the wild due to overharvesting, prompting cultivated plantations across China.
Key Features
The tree's bark contains lignans, iridoids, and phenolic compounds that demonstrate hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and bone-strengthening effects in clinical studies. These properties make it a cornerstone ingredient in formulas for hypertension and osteoporosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). From an industrial perspective, Eucommia produces trans-1,4-polyisoprene in its leaves and bark - a structural isomer of natural rubber. Unlike tropical rubber trees, it thrives in temperate climates, offering a climate-resilient alternative for rubber production. The tree also exhibits remarkable drought resistance and adaptability to poor soils.
Application Areas
In healthcare, processed Eucommia bark (Du Zhong) appears in over 300 registered TCM preparations, primarily for kidney yang deficiency patterns and musculoskeletal disorders. Modern research explores its potential in nutraceuticals for joint health supplements and functional foods. Industrially, the rubber content enables applications where synthetic rubber performs poorly, particularly in medical devices requiring high elasticity and biocompatibility. The wood serves in high-quality furniture making, while plantations contribute to ecological restoration projects due to the tree's soil-improving qualities.
Precautions
Sustainable sourcing is critical when procuring Eucommia products. Wild populations are protected under CITES Appendix III (China listing), requiring verified cultivation certificates for international trade. The bark should only be harvested from trees older than 10 years to ensure medicinal potency. Processing methods significantly affect quality. Traditionally, the bark undergoes 'sweating' (controlled fermentation) to enhance therapeutic effects. Buyers should request laboratory analysis for heavy metals and pesticide residues, especially for pharmaceutical-grade materials. Industrial users should test rubber samples for polymerization degree and elasticity modulus.
B2B Procurement Guide
Major production bases include Guizhou, Sichuan, and Shaanxi provinces, where GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certified plantations dominate. For medicinal use, look for bark with thick cork layer and silvery-white inner surface - indicators of premium quality. Rubber processors should evaluate leaf collection systems, as freshness impacts polymer quality. Pricing varies by application: decoction pieces for TCM command $25-40/kg, while rubber intermediates trade at $4-6/kg. Contracts often specify harvest year and processing method. Consider partnering with research institutions for improved cultivars - new varieties yield 30% more rubber content.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：菊花桃、种植树、定植苗、黄金槐、红叶李、地产苗、牡丹苗、柿子树、元宝枫、观赏树、绿化树、美人梅、白蜡树、叶乔木、包装车、紫叶李、海棠树、法桐树、金枝槐、行道树、国槐苗、景观树、碧桃树、垂柳树、苦楝树
- 主营：观赏树、行道树、美国红枫、湿地绿化苗圃、街区种植国槐、道路景观白蜡树
- 主营：风景树、紫叶李、榆叶梅、五角枫、美人梅、种植树、景观白蜡、垂丝海棠、北美海棠、金丝垂柳、绿化枫树、绿化苗木、红叶碧桃、绚丽海棠、造型国槐、观花植物、观赏海棠树、别墅西府海棠、公园观赏速生树、行道观赏黄金槐、园林遮荫白蜡树、行道庭荫观赏树、紫薇绿化施工树、庭院观赏绿化树、城市建设金枝槐
- 主营：[]
- 主营：枳壳苗、仙茅苗、黄精苗、佛手苗、草珊瑚苗、黄柏苗、杜仲苗、栾树苗、刺槐苗、吴茱萸苗、百部苗、金果榄苗、地苦胆苗、白芨苗、麦冬草、麦冬苗
- 主营：春见苗、血橙苗、桂花苗、杜仲苗、白果苗、香樟苗、栾树苗、花椒苗、黄花槐、枳壳苗、香椿苗、沃柑苗、银杏苗、李子苗、柏树苗、板栗苗、黄柏苗、花椒芽苗、红肉脐橙、毛桃芽苗、佛手柑苗、明日见苗、吴茱萸苗、沙糖柑苗、藤椒芽苗
- 主营：垂柳品种、树苗基地、嫁接垂柳、垂柳小苗、垂柳种植、旱柳基地
- 主营：旱柳、垂柳、金丝垂柳、杜仲树、刺槐、香花槐、金枝国槐、金叶国槐、白蜡、北栾、椿树、元宝枫、五角枫、法梧、国槐、城镇绿化苗木、馒头柳、嫁接香花槐、榆树
- 主营：国槐、金叶榆、香花槐、垂柳、旱柳、馒头柳、火炬树、北栾、五角枫、元宝枫、复叶槭、白蜡、法桐、丝棉木、金叶女贞、紫叶小檗、小叶黄杨、大叶黄杨、水蜡、卫矛、金叶榆小苗、金叶榆球、卫矛球、水蜡球、大叶黄杨球
- 主营：地被苗、苗圃苗、国槐苗、杜仲树、丝棉木、丁香球、造林苗、长枝榆、金叶榆、金枝槐、专用苗、法桐苗、刺槐苗、五角枫、沙地柏、北栾树、移栽苗、假植苗、馒头柳、景观树、香花槐、红叶李、绿篱苗、树苗3-5、毛白杨
- 主营：柿子树、梨树、苹果树、杜仲树、碧桃、山楂树、白皮松、刺槐小苗、丛生石榴石、大红袍花椒苗、杜梨苗、钙果苗、核桃树、连翘苗、葡萄苗、桑树、山杏苗、狮子头花椒苗、甜柿子苗、杏树、草坪、侧柏、刺槐、冬青、五角枫籽
- 主营：竹子、桂花树、南天竹、漯河杜仲树批发、麦冬草、小叶女贞、香樟树、红叶石楠、金森女贞、栾树、迎春、葱兰、红花草、草坪、爬藤月季、紫薇、蔷薇花、月季、腊梅、丝棉木、美人梅、时令草花、红叶李、三角枫
- 主营：高羊茅种子、黑麦草种子、狗牙根种子、剪股颖种子、护坡种子、四季青种子、观赏油菜种子、混播草籽、早熟禾、草坪种子、波斯菊种子、绿化草籽、二月兰种子、百日草种子、太阳花种子、苏丹草种子、三叶草种子、菊苣种子、紫云英种子、紫花苜蓿种子、宽叶草种子、田箐种子、地毯草种子、万寿菊种子、复绿草草种子
- 主营：遮阳网、冬青苗、茶花球、假草皮、绿化苗、玉簪苗、女贞苗、快柏苗、连翘苗、海棠苗、朴树苗、月季苗、狗牙根、竹子苗、玫瑰苗、地柏苗、龙柏苗、锦带花、栾树苗、沙地柏、花种子、分株苗、绣线菊、花石榴、金丝桃
- 主营：旱柳、垂柳、金丝垂柳、杜仲树厂家、馒头柳、榆树、金叶榆、国槐、金枝槐、金叶槐、刺槐、香花槐、白蜡、金叶白蜡、碧桃、山桃、山杏、元宝枫、丛生紫穗槐、丛生五角枫、丛生白蜡、卫矛、小叶黄杨、大叶黄杨
- 主营：黄精、百部、天冬、白芨、佛手、石菖蒲、黄精苗、黄精块茎、黄精种子、百部苗、天冬苗、白芨苗、佛手苗、石菖蒲苗、连翘苗、金果榄苗、地苦胆苗、黄柏苗、黄连苗、射干苗、射干种子
- 主营：乱子草、百日草、菊苣种子、草坪草籽、波斯菊种子、白三叶种子、红三叶种子、进口紫云英种子
- 主营：好种子、果种子、水毛桃、种子图、黄种子、甜象草、种球森、种球图、狗牙根、藕种球、果树籽、防风子、松种子、簪种球、种球一、杉种子、实拍包、草种子、花种子、茶种子、种子马、牧7种子、牧70种子、南栾种子、香榧种子
- 主营：草坪种子、护坡草籽、草籽、牧草种子、绿化草籽、草坪、高羊茅草坪、早熟禾、二月兰、波斯菊、狗牙根、百慕大草坪、草皮、早熟禾草坪、四季青草坪、混播草坪、马尼拉草坪、剪股颖草坪、草坪基地、果岭草草坪、本特草坪、天堂草草坪、四季青混播草籽、绿化草皮、带土真草皮