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Biota
BiotaDescriptionBiota is the common name for Biota orientalis. It is used in Chinese healing and called bai zi ren. In English biota is sometimes called oriental arborvitae. Biota is a slow-growing tree native to China. It grows to a height of about 45 ft (15 m) in moist, well-drained soils throughout East Asia. It tolerates air pollution well and will grow in cities. When cultivated, biota produces an abundant seed crop. The leaves and seeds are used in healing. A yellow dye can be made from the young branches. Many varieties of biota are used for ornamental landscaping. Biota is an herb that is sometimes confused with Thuja occidentalis. Thuja is a North American tree in the cedar family that is called American arborvitae. The leaves of thuja are sometimes used by Western herbalists, but are used in very different ways from B. orientalis. General useBiota is one of the less important of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese herbalism. In Chinese herbalism, biota is said to have a neutral nature and a sweet, acid taste. It is associated primarily with the heart and digestive system and is often a component of shen tonics. Biota seeds are used as a sedative, to help disperse anxiety and fear, and to reduce insomnia . Other uses are to treat heart palpitations, nervous disorders, night sweats, and constipation . Biota is said to be especially helpful for treating constipation in the elderly due to its oily nature. Biota leaves, either fresh or dried, are used to treat a variety of conditions including:
Biota is an herb that has not received much attention from scientists. There are very few chemical analyses or laboratory studies done on biota leaves or seeds in either Asia or the United States. Virtually all health claims for this herb are based on its use in traditional Chinese medicine and observations of herbalists rather than controlled scientific studies. PreparationsBiota seeds are prepared by boiling, and extracts are made of the leaves. Commercially most biota is sold as capsules. Most often biota is used as part of a formula or tonic. It is a component of formulas that tend to stimulate the heart and relieve stress, fatigue , and forgetfulness. Biota is one ingredient of the cerebral tonic pills called bu nao wan. These pills are used to improve concentration and treat conditions such as Alzheimer disease. They are also given to combat restlessness and agitation. Another common formula that contains biota is ginseng and zizyphus (tian wang bu xin dan ). This formula treats insomnia and disturbed sleep, nightmares, anxiety, restlessness, forgetfulness, heart palpitations, and hard, dry bowel movements. It is available in both tea and capsule form. Dosage varies considerably depending on the formula and the condition being treated. PrecautionsSome herbal practitioners recommend that biota not be taken by pregnant women. Side effectsNo undesirable side effects have been reported. InteractionsBiota and other Chinese herbs are often used together with no reported interactions. Since biota has been used almost exclusively in Chinese medicine, there are no studies of its interactions with Western pharmaceuticals. ResourcesBOOKSMolony, David. Complete Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine. New York: Berkeley Books, 1998. Teegaurden, Ron. The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. New York: Warner Books, 1998. ORGANIZATIONSAmerican Association of Oriental Medicine. 433 Front Street, Catasauqua, PA 18032. (610) 266-2433. Tish Davidson |
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Cite this article
Davidson, Tish. "Biota." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Davidson, Tish. "Biota." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435100093.html Davidson, Tish. "Biota." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435100093.html |
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biota
bi·o·ta / bīˈōtə/ • n. Ecol. the animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period: the biota of the river. |
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"biota." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "biota." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-biota.html "biota." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-biota.html |
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biota
biota All the organisms living in a particular region, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. See also community.
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"biota." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "biota." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-biota.html "biota." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-biota.html |
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biota
biota The living organisms occupying a place together, e.g. marine biota, terrestrial biota.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-biota.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-biota.html |
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biota
biota Plants and animals occupying a place together (e.g. marine biota, terrestrial biota).
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-biota.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-biota.html |
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biota
biota Plants and animals occupying a place together, e.g. marine biota, terrestrial biota.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-biota.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-biota.html |
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biota
biota Plants and animals occupying a place together, e.g. marine biota, terrestrial biota.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-biota.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "biota." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-biota.html |
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