Golden Camellias: A Review

Abstract

Golden camellias or yellow camellias are species belonging to genus Camellia L., family Theaceae. Fifty two species were described in southern China and Vietnam. Active ingredients such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, saponins, and flavonoids are well known characteristics of golden camellias. Its leaves and flowers have been long traditionally used for health improvement. It was found to be able to inhibit transplanted cancer, lower blood pressure, lower blood lipid, lower cholesterol, and prevent atherosclerosis. Currently, it costs 320–700US$ per one kg of dry flowers. Such price attracts many local ethnic people to plant golden camellias for poverty reduction. This work reviews (1) species and natural distribution, (2) uses and healthcare values, (3) techniques for seedling production, planting and tending, and (4) opportunities and challenges for future development of golden camellias.

Assessment of acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Camellia hakodae Ninh leaves aqueous extracts in experimental animals

“…The yellow tea, Camellia sp., is a shrub and small tree belonging to the family Theaceae (Xu et al, 2018). Approximately 52 species of yellow Camellia have been described in southern China and Vietnam, of which nearly 40 species are naturally distributed in Vietnam (Manh et al, 2019;Huang et al, 2013). These plants are shade-tolerant species that grow well only in the shade.…”

“…Clinical research has shown that yellow Camellia products can inhibit transplant cancer, lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and cholesterol levels, and prevent atherosclerosis. Research has demonstrated that Camellia extracts possess antioxidant, with anionic superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities (Manh et al, 2019;Huang et al, 2013). Yellow Camellias, such as C. nitidissima, have been used to treat sore throats, diarrhea, high blood pressure, irregular menstruation and to prevent cancer (Mukhtar and Ahmad, 2000).…”

“…Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License anti-inflammatory, improve the body's resistance, strengthen vascular walls, reduce blood pressure in the hypertension patients, control dyslipidemia, reduce weight in obese patients and can prevent stroke, inhibit the cancer cells, and reduce skin pigmentation (Manh et al, 2019;Huang et al, 2013). Golden tea have been used to treat sore throats, dysentery, hypertension, diarrhea, high blood pressure, fallopian tubes, irregular menstruation and prevent cancer (Mukhtar and Ahmad, 2000;He et al, 2018).…”

Paclobutrazol Modulates Endogenous Level of Phytohormones in Inducing Early Flowering in Camellia tamdaoensis Hakoda et Ninh, a Golden Camellia Species

“…In this study, we reported the flowering induction of C. tamdaoensis, which is a rare camellia species with yellow flowers from Vietnam (Manh et al, 2019). Commonly known as golden camellias or yellow camellias, yellow-flowering camellias comprise 52 species.…”

Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae), a new species of yellow camellia from limestone karsts in southwestern China

“…In recent years, many new species of yellow camellia have been reported from northern Vietnam and southern China (e.g. Tran and Nguyet 2005; Orel 2006; Orel and Wilson 2010, 2012; Orel et al 2012, 2013, 2014a, b; Tran et al 2012; Tran and Luong 2013; Huang et al 2014; Orel and Curry 2015; Tran and Le 2015; Luu et al 2015; Dung et al 2016; Luong and Le 2016; Luong et al 2016a, b; Le et al 2017; Nguyen et al 2018; Liu et al 2019), increasing the total to more than 50 species (Tran et al 2019) and making northern Vietnam another center of yellow camellia diversity. Generally, yellow camellias are rare and highly endemic due to their small population, narrow distribution and excessive gathering.…”