Pinyin: Qiannianjian
Aliases
Yibao Zhen, Qiannian Jian, Qianke Zhen.
Source
Plant of the family Araceae, Homalomena occulta.Homalomena occultaThe dried rhizome of (Lour.) Schott.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb. Rhizome creeping, slender. Root fleshy, densely covered with pale brown short pubescence, fibrous root fibers. Often with erect aerial stem 30-50 cm tall. Scale leaves linear-lanceolate, up to 16 cm long, 2.5 cm wide at base, gradually narrowing upward, acute; petiole with sheath 3-5 mm wide at lower part; leaf blade membranous to papery, sagittate-cordate to cordate, apex abruptly narrowed and acuminate; lateral veins parallel, ascending obliquely. Inflorescence 1-3, axillary from scale leaves, peduncle shorter than petiole; spathe green-white, oblong to elliptic, 5-6.5 cm long, rolled into fusiform shape before anthesis, upper part slightly spreading into short boat shape at full bloom; spadix 3-5 cm long; female inflorescence 1-1.5 cm long, 4-5 mm thick; male inflorescence 2-3 cm long, 3-4 mm thick; ovary oblong, with one staminode at base on one side, ovary 3-locular. Berry, seeds brown, oblong. Flowering period July to September.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows under dense forests in ravines, bamboo groves, and on shrubby slopes at elevations of 80-1100 m. It is distributed in Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in spring and autumn, washed clean, outer skin removed, and dried in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
This product is cylindrical, slightly curved, and some are somewhat flattened, measuring 15-40 cm in length and 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-brown or red-brown, rough, and shows numerous twisted longitudinal wrinkles, circular root scars, and yellow needle-like fiber bundles. The texture is hard and brittle; the cross-section is red-brown with many prominent yellow needle-like fiber bundles, while the opposite cross-section shows numerous pinhole-like pores and a few yellow needle-like fiber bundles, with dark brown glossy oil spots visible. The odor is aromatic, and the taste is acrid and slightly bitter.
Chemical Constituents
This product primarily contains linalool,α- Contains ingredients such as bisabolol, carvacrol, cymene, camphor, erythritol, and glucose.
Pharmacology
Antihistamine; anticoagulant; antibacterial; antiviral; anti-inflammatory and analgesic, etc.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, pungent, warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
Functions and Indications
Expels Wind and eliminates Dampness, strengthens sinews and bones
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 5-10 g; or steep in wine. External: apply an appropriate amount, grind into powder and mix for topical application.
Precautions and Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Yin deficiency with internal Heat.
Prescriptions
1. For Wind-Cold induced bone and muscle pain, stiffness, contracture, and numbness: Qiannianjian (Homalomena rhizome) and Difeng (Schizophrenia root) 30 g each, Laoguancao (Geranium herb) 90 g. Grind together into a fine powder. Take 3 g per dose. (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine)
