Evidence supporting the use of: Corktree
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Corktree, most commonly referring to Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the bark—known as “Huang Bai”—is primarily used for its supposed “heat-clearing” and detoxifying properties, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. While not a primary herb for insomnia, some traditional formulations for calming the spirit (an shen) include corktree bark as part of multi-herb combinations. The rationale is more indirect, targeting symptoms like restlessness due to “yin deficiency” or “internal heat,” which are sometimes associated with insomnia in TCM theory. However, there is minimal direct traditional evidence supporting corktree as a major or standalone treatment for insomnia. Furthermore, scientific research examining the efficacy of corktree bark or its constituents (such as berberine) for sleep disorders is extremely limited. Existing studies tend to focus on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or metabolic effects, with little to no published research evaluating its effect on sleep quality or insomnia in humans or animal models. Therefore, while corktree may be found in some traditional formulas that address insomnia-adjacent symptoms, both the traditional and scientific evidence for its direct use as a treatment for insomnia is weak.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
Szechuan lovage
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Flueggea suffruticosa
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Fringed Pink
Frankincense
Gelsemium
Geraniol
Giant Blazingstar
Glycine
Gardenia jasminoides
Homalomena
Honeybush
jasmine
Jatoba
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Kavalactones
Kukicha
Kiwi
Lycium
Loquat
lemon balm
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
Linden
Longan
Lindera
Lotus
Labrador Tea
Large-Leaved Linden
Lily
Little ironweed
Lupulinum
Loranthus
Linalool
Mesua
Myrcene
Marjoram
Mallow
Mace
Milk Protein
Matapalo Tree
Mimosa
Microtea debilis
Morning Glory
Magnolol
Mulungu
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Orchid
Osmanthus
Osthole
Premna
Polysaccharides
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
Phlorotannins
portulaca
Passionfruit
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Persimmon
Paeoniflorin
Poppy
Polygonum
Polygala
Rue
Rauvolfia
Rubiaceae
Rose
Rooibos
Speedwell
Scoparia dulcis
Sumbul
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Spikenard
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Southernwood
Sarivan
Shankhpushpi
Sweet Woodruff
Schisandrins
Sandalwood
Semecarpus anacardium
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Sword Bean
Saffranal
Sedanenolide
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terminalia
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Vetiver
Valerenic acid
Vervain
Verbena
Withanolides
Wax Gourd
walnut
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang
Other health conditions supported by Corktree
Abdominal PainArthritis
Backache
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Infection
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Stress
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores