Pinyin: Changshan
Aliases
Hu Cao, Heng Shan, Fan Wei Mu, Da Jin Dao, Bai Zi Yao.
Source
Dichroa febrifuga Lour., a plant of the family Saxifragaceae.Dichroa febrifugaDried root of *Wikstroemia indica* (Lour.) C.A. Mey.
Botanical Description
Shrub, 1-2 m tall. Branchlets green, often purplish, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Leaves opposite; petiole 1.5-2 cm long. Leaf blade highly variable, usually elliptic, oblong, or obovate-elliptic, rarely lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, 3-6 cm wide, apex acuminate, base cuneate, margin densely serrate or finely serrate; midvein impressed adaxially; lateral veins arcuate-ascending. Corymbose-paniculate inflorescence; terminal, pedunculate; flowers blue or violet-blue; calyx obconical, calyx teeth 4-7; petals 4-7, subfleshy, reflexed at anthesis; stamens 10-20, half opposite the petals, filaments flattened; ovary inferior, style 5 (4-6), basally connate at first. Berry blue, with numerous seeds. Flowering June-July, fruiting August-October.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows at forest edges, along ditches, and in moist mountainous areas at elevations of 500-1,200 m. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Tibet.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in autumn, remove the fibrous roots, wash clean, and sun-dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is cylindrical, often curved and twisted, or branched, 9-15 cm long, 0.5-2 cm in diameter. The surface is brownish-yellow, with fine longitudinal wrinkles, the outer bark easily peels off, revealing a pale yellow xylem. The texture is hard, not easily broken, and dust flies out when broken; the transverse section is yellow-white with whitish rays arranged radially. Odor: faint; Taste: bitter.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains dichroine A, dichroine B, dichroine C, α-dichroine, β-dichroine, dichroidine A, dichroidine B, hydrangenol, and 4-hydroxyhydrangenol.
Pharmacology
Has anti-malarial, anti-amebic, antipyretic, antihypertensive, and emetic effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, acrid, cold; toxic. Enters the Lung, Liver, and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Induces vomiting of phlegm and saliva, and interrupts malaria. Used for accumulation of phlegm-fluid retention, chest and diaphragm fullness and obstruction, and malaria.
Dosage and Administration
Internal use: decoct 5-10 g; or made into pills or powder. For inducing vomiting, use raw; for preventing malaria, it is better to stir-fry with wine.
Precautions and Contraindications
For those with insufficient Zheng Qi (Healthy Qi), chronic illness with weak constitution, and pregnant women, use with caution; it has an emetic side effect, so the dosage should not be excessive.
Prescriptions
1. For treating malaria with alternating chills and fever: Dichroa root 3 g, Magnolia bark, Green tangerine peel, Tangerine peel, Honey-fried licorice, Betel nut, and Amomum tsao-ko fruit kernel 1.5 g each. Finely cut the above ingredients as one dose, decoct with half wine and half water (add more wine for predominant chills, more water for predominant fever) until 80% remains, leave overnight exposed to open air and moonlight, take on an empty stomach while cold. Avoid hot tea and hot water for one day, eat warm congee at noon. (From "Yixue Zhengzhuan" citing "Jufang" Jie Nü Qi Bao Yin). 2. For treating malaria: Dichroa root, Betel nut, and Turtle shell 30 g each, Smoked plum and Red date 9 pieces each, Licorice and Fresh ginger 9 slices each. Prepare into concentrated fluid extract 10 g. Take 1-2 times daily, 5 g each time. Usually 12-18 g total leads to recovery. No vomiting or other side effects after administration. [From "Chinese Medical Journal" 1955, (6):526]. 3. For treating excessive phlegm in the chest, headache with no desire to eat, and alcohol consumption: Dichroa root 120 g, Licorice 15 g. Decoct with seven sheng of water down to three sheng, add half a sheng of honey, take one sheng. If no vomiting occurs, take another dose. Honey may be omitted. (From "Zhouhou Fang"). 4. For treating phlegm-induced syncopal headache with alternating chills and fever: Dichroa root 30 g, Muscovite powder 60 g. Grind the above ingredients into a fine powder. Take 3 g with salt water at any time. Vomiting indicates efficacy; if vomiting is incomplete, take another dose. (From "Shenghui Fang"). 5. For treating tinea manuum (goose-foot wind): Dichroa root 1 jin. Rub the affected hands and feet with oiled walnut, burn 1 jin of Dichroa root in a stove, cover with green cloth and fumigate. Do not wash with water for seven days. (From "He Shi Ji Sheng Lun").
