Pinyin: Huzhang
Aliases
Kuzhang, Huangyaozi, Banzhang, Yinyanglian.
Source
Polygonaceae plant *Reynoutria japonica* (Huzhang).Polygonum cuspidatumDried rhizome and root of Sieb. et Zucc.
Botanical Description
Perennial shrub-like herb, up to 1 m or more tall. Rhizome creeping, woody, yellowish-brown, with distinct nodes. Stem erect, cespitose, glabrous (hairless), hollow, sparsely scattered with purplish-red spots. Leaves alternate; petiole short; stipules membranous, brownish, deciduous; leaf blade broadly ovate to ovate-elliptic, apex acute, base rounded to cuneate, margin entire, glabrous. Flowers unisexual, dioecious, in axillary panicles; pedicel slender, with a joint in the middle and winged upper part; perianth deeply 5-lobed, lobes in 2 whorls, the outer 3 lobes enlarging in fruit, bearing wings on the back; male flowers with 8 stamens; female flowers with 3 styles, stigmas capitate. Achene ellipsoid, 3-angled, blackish-brown. Flowering June to August, fruiting September to October.
Habitat and Distribution
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in spring and autumn, remove fibrous roots, wash clean, cut into short segments or thick slices while fresh, and sun-dry.
Medicinal Properties
The rhizome is cylindrical, branched, of varying length, sometimes up to 30 cm long, with a diameter of 0.5-2.5 cm, slightly swollen at the nodes, with a surface color ranging from brown to gray-brown, marked by distinct longitudinal wrinkles, fibrous roots, and punctate root scars. The branch tips and nodes bear bud scars and sheath-like scales. Internodes are 2-3 cm long. The texture is hard, difficult to break, with a brownish-yellow, fibrous fracture surface. The bark and wood are easily separated; the bark is relatively thin, while the wood occupies most of the cross-section, appearing radial, with a central pith or hollow cavity. Longitudinal sections reveal transverse septa. Odor: faint; Taste: slightly bitter and astringent.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, 6-hydroxyaloe-emodin, rhein, isoquercitrin, polygonic acid, citric acid, malic acid, resveratrol, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Lowers blood pressure and reduces blood lipids; can temporarily increase intestinal muscle tone; improves microcirculation; inhibits platelet aggregation; exhibits antitussive, antiasthmatic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, and sedative effects; has actions such as increasing white blood cells and platelets.
Properties and Channel Entry
Slightly bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Liver, Gallbladder, and Lung channels.
Functions and Indications
Dispels Dampness and relieves jaundice, clears Heat and resolves toxicity, disperses stasis and alleviates pain, stops cough and transforms Phlegm. Used for Damp-Heat jaundice, turbid urine, leukorrhea, Wind-Damp Bi pain, carbuncles and sores, burns and scalds, amenorrhea, abdominal masses, traumatic injuries, and Lung-Heat cough.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 10-15 g; or steep in wine; or prepared as pills or powder
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Prescriptions
1. For postpartum blood stasis pain and fainting from falls: Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum) root, grind into powder, take with wine. (Compendium of Materia Medica) 2. For acute icteric infectious hepatitis: Huzhang 30 g, Jiyancao (Kummerowia striata) 60 g. One dose daily. (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine Data) 3. For damp-heat jaundice: Huzhang 30 g, Jinqiancao (Lysimachia christinae) 30 g, Banlangen (Isatis indigotica) 30 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982) 4. For hemorrhoidal bleeding: Huzhang 9 g, Yinhua (Lonicera japonica) 9 g, Huaihua (Sophora japonica) 9 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982) 5. For skin eczema: Huzhang 24 g, Suanpanzigen (Glochidion puberum root) 24 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fujian Materia Medica)
