Pinyin: Shichangpu
Aliases
Gepu, Jianye Changpu, Shuiwugong.
Source
Plant of the Araceae family, Acorus gramineusAcorus tatarinowiischott dried rhizome.
Plant
Botanical Description
Perennial herb. Rhizome prostrate, aromatic, 5-8 mm in diameter, outer bark yellowish-brown, internodes 3-5 mm long; roots fleshy with numerous fibrous roots; upper part of rhizome densely branched, forming clumps, branches often covered with fibrous persistent leaf bases. Leaves thin, linear, 20-30 (-50) cm long, base folded, mid-upper part spreading, 7-13 mm wide, apex gradually narrowed, base with membranous margins on both sides, leaf sheath up to 5 mm wide, extending nearly to the middle of the leaf, dark green, without midrib, with numerous slightly raised parallel veins. Inflorescence peduncle axillary, 4-15 cm long, triangular. Spathe leaf-like, 13-25 cm long, 2-5 times or more the length of the spadix, rarely subequal; spadix cylindrical, 2.5-2.8 cm long, 4-7 mm thick, apex acuminate, erect or slightly curved. Flowers white. Mature infructescence 7-8 cm long, up to 1 cm thick; young fruit green, mature fruit yellowish-green or yellowish-white. Flowering and fruiting period: February to June.
Habitat and Distribution
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in autumn and winter, remove fibrous roots and sediment, then dry in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
This product is cylindrical-flattened, often curved, frequently branched, 3-20 cm long, 0.3-0.1 cm in diameter. The surface is brownish-brown or grayish-brown, rough, with irregularly spaced nodes, internodes 0.2-0.8 cm long, fine longitudinal striations, one side with residual rootlets or dot-like root scars; leaf scars are triangular, arranged alternately, some with hairy scale-like leaf base remnants. The texture is hard, the fracture is fibrous, off-white or slightly reddish, with a distinct endodermis ring, visible numerous vascular bundle dots and brown oil cells. Odor: aromatic; Taste: bitter, slightly acrid.
Chemical Constituents
This product containsα- Asarone.bAsarone, euasarone, calamenene, cedrene.α- Cedrol, cinnamaldehyde,α- Sesquiterpene, Aristolone, Sec-Asarone, Acorine A, Acorine B, etc.
Pharmacology
It has sedative, anticonvulsant, improves memory retrieval deficits, antispasmodic, antiarrhythmic, lipid-lowering, and antitumor effects. It is toxic and can cause mutations.
Properties and Channel Entry
Pungent, bitter, and warm. Enters the Heart and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Opens the orifices, dispels phlegm, awakens the Spirit and enhances intelligence, transforms Dampness and opens the Stomach. Used for clouded consciousness, epilepsy, forgetfulness, insomnia, tinnitus, deafness, epigastric fullness without appetite, and aphthous dysentery.
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decocted in water, 3-6 g (double the amount if fresh); or made into pills or powder. Topical application: appropriate amount, decocted in water for washing; or ground into powder for mixing and applying.
Precautions and Contraindications
Patients with Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity, excessive sweating, or seminal emission should use with caution.
Prescriptions
1. For toothache caused by wind-dental caries: Place Shichangpu against the painful tooth and bite down firmly, or stuff it into the gap. (Gu Jin Yi Tong) 2. For frequent urination (dozens of times day and night): Shichangpu and Huanglian, equal parts. Grind and sieve, take one fangcunbi (approximately 1-2 g) of the powder mixed in wine. (Fan Wang Fang) 3. For throat obstruction with swelling and pain: Pound Shichangpu root to extract juice, heat an iron scale weight and quench it in a cup of wine, then drink. (Sheng Ji Zong Lu) 4. For phlegm confusing the heart orifices (mental confusion): Shichangpu and Shengjiang (fresh ginger). Pound together to extract juice and administer orally. (Mei Shi Yan Fang Xin Bian) 5. For carbuncle and cellulitis on the back: Pound fresh Shichangpu and apply as a poultice. If the sore is dry, grind it into powder and mix with water to apply topically. (Jing Yan Fang)
