Pinyin: Yangti
Aliases
Tu Dahuang, Niuti, Niushetou, Niu Dahuang.
Source
1. Plant from the Polygonaceae family: Rumex japonicusRumex japonicusDried root of Houtt.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb, 60-100 cm tall. Root thick, cross-section yellow. Stem erect, usually unbranched. Leaves alternate, petiolate; leaf blade oblong to oblong-lanceolate, basal leaves larger, 16-22 cm long, 4-9 cm wide, apex acute, base rounded to slightly cordate, margin slightly undulate-crisped. Raceme terminal, flower clusters slightly drooping at each node; flowers bisexual, perianth segments 6, pale green, outer 3 spreading, inner 3 becoming fruit envelope; fruit envelope broadly ovate, with distinct reticulate venation, each bearing an ovoid verrucose protrusion on the back with fine reticulate surface, margin irregularly minutely dentate; stamens 6, in 3 pairs; ovary angled, 1-loculed, 1 ovule, styles 3, stigma finely divided. Achene broadly ovoid, 3-angled, apex acute, angles sharp, about 2 mm long, blackish-brown, glossy. Flowering in April, fruiting in May.
Habitat and Distribution
Grows in mountain fields, roadsides, and wetlands. Distributed throughout Northeast, North, East, and Central-South China.
Harvesting and Processing
After 2 years of cultivation, in autumn when the aboveground leaves turn yellow, dig up the roots, wash them for fresh use or slice and sun-dry.
Medicinal Properties
Root conical-cylindrical, 6-18 cm long, 0.8-1.8 cm in diameter. The root apex shows remnants of stem bases and branch root scars. The root surface is brownish-gray, with longitudinal wrinkles and transversely protruding lenticel-like spots. The texture is hard and brittle, breaking easily, with a grayish-yellow granular fracture. Odor: characteristic; Taste: slightly bitter and astringent.
Chemical Constituents
This product primarily contains emodin, physcion, chrysophanol, and rumicin among its constituents.
Pharmacology
Has antibacterial activity and can also inhibit testosterone-5.α- Reductase; additionally, it also exhibits antioxidant properties.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Large Intestine channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and unblocks the bowels, cools the Blood and stops bleeding, kills parasites and relieves itching. Indications: constipation, hematemesis and epistaxis, intestinal wind with bloody stool, hemorrhoidal bleeding, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, scabies and tinea, alopecia areata, carbuncles, sores, and swelling, traumatic injury.
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decocted in water, 9-15 g; or pounded to extract juice; or made into a paste
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold.
Prescriptions
1. For sudden constipation with dry and difficult stools: Yangti root (sliced) 30 g. Boil with one large cup of water until six-tenths remains, strain, and take warm in one dose. (From *Shenghui Fang*) 2. For postpartum constipation due to Wind: Yangti root, sliced and ground, squeeze 2-3 spoonfuls of juice, add half a cup of water, bring to a boil 1-2 times. Take warm. (From *Bencao Yanyi*) 3. For Damp-Heat jaundice: Yangti root 15 g, Wujiapi 15 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From *Jiangxi Folk Herbal Medicine*) 4. For Wind-Heat head scaling (dandruff): Dry Yangti root in the sun, grind into powder. Mix with sheep bile and apply to the scalp. (From *Shenghui Fang*) 5. For traumatic injuries: Fresh Yangti root, an appropriate amount, pound into a paste, stir-fry with wine until hot. Apply to the affected area. (From *Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine*) 6. For hemoptysis due to Heat stasis: Yangti root and Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus) decocted in water and taken as a drink, or simmered into a paste with refined honey, taken with plain boiled water in spoonfuls. (From *Bencao Huiyan*) 7. For intestinal Wind with blood in stool: Yangti root (washed and sliced) and aged ginger with skin, half a cup each. Stir-fry together until red, quench with ashless wine, cover with a bowl for a short while, then strain. Drink freely. (From *Yonglei Qianfang*) 8. For tinea (ringworm): Yangti root 30 g, Shihuang (realgar) 6 g, Xionghuang (orpiment) 6 g, Kufan (dried alum) 6 g, Choujuhua (stinking chrysanthemum) 6 g, Huajiao (Sichuan pepper) 3 g. Grind together into powder, mix with pure vegetable oil or candle oil, and apply topically. (From *Diannan Bencao*)
