Pinyin: Zhuru
Aliases
Zhupi, Qingzhuru, Danzhuru, Zhu'erqing, Qingzizhu
Source
Poaceae family plant Dan Zhu (Lophatherum gracile)Phyllostachysnigra(Lockl. Ex Lindl.) Munro var.henonisThe dried middle layer of the stem of (Mitf.) Stapl et Rendle.
Botanical Description
The plant becomes woody and forms a tree-like appearance. The culms are 6-18 m tall, with a diameter of 5-7 cm, remaining green after maturity or turning grayish-green when old, with both the culm nodes and sheath nodes prominently raised. The culm sheaths are hairless on the back or have fine hairs on the upper part, yellow-green to pale yellow with grayish-black spots and streaks; the sheath ears and their bristles are easily shed; the sheath blades are long-lanceolate, wrinkled, and constricted at the base; branches bear 1-5 leaves, with hairless leaf sheaths; the leaf blades are dark green, hairless, narrowly lanceolate, 1-2 cm wide, with 6-8 pairs of secondary veins, thin in texture. The spikelets are arranged into imbricate panicles on small branches, each spikelet containing 2-3 flowers, with the terminal flower reduced; glumes are 1 or 2, lanceolate, with fine hairs; the lemma is sharply pointed, with fine hairs on the surface; the palea has 2 teeth at the apex, with fine hairs, 12-15 mm long; the lodicules vary in number, from 3 to 1 or absent, lanceolate, about 3 mm long; the anthers are 7-10 mm long; the ovary is sharp-ovoid, topped with a long style, both together about 7 mm long, with 3 stigmas, each about 5 mm long, brush-like. The bamboo shoot period is April to May, and the flowering period is from October to May of the following year.
Habitat and Distribution
Usually planted in gardens. Distributed in Shandong, Henan, and areas south of the Yangtze River basin.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested and processed throughout the year. Fresh stems are collected and the outer bark is removed. The slightly green middle layer is scraped into strips or shaved into thin slices, bundled into sheaves, and dried in the shade. The former is known as "San Zhu Ru" (loose bamboo shavings), and the latter is called "Qi Zhu Ru" (neat bamboo shavings).
Medicinal Properties
This product appears as irregular strands curled into bundles or long, thin strips. Width, thickness, and thinness vary, and it is light green, yellow-green, or yellow-white in color. It is fibrous, light and loose in body, soft and pliable, and elastic. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
Contains terephthalic acid-2′-hydroxyethyl methyl ester, coniferyl aldehyde, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, syringaldehyde, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and vanillic acid.
Pharmacology
Inhibits cAMP phosphodiesterase activity, antibacterial.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, slightly cold. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Gallbladder channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm, relieves irritability, and stops vomiting. Used for phlegm-Heat cough, Gallbladder-Fire with Phlegm causing palpitations and restlessness, vexation and insomnia, Wind-Stroke with Phlegm confusion causing stiff tongue and aphasia, Stomach-Heat vomiting, morning sickness, and fetal irritability.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoction, 5-10 g; or made into pills or powder. External use: appropriate amount, applied as a plaster.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of cold phlegm cough and dyspnea, stomach cold with nausea and vomiting, and Spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
Prescriptions
1. For lung-heat with phlegm cough: Zhuru 9 g, Pipaye 9 g, Xingren 9 g, Huangqin 4.5 g, Sangbaipi 12 g. Decoct and take orally. ("Anhui Zhongcaoyao") 2. For pertussis (whooping cough): Zhuru 9 g, honey 100 g. Decoct Zhuru in water, mix with honey, bring to a boil again, and take. One dose daily for 3 consecutive doses. ("Hubei Zhongcaoyao Zhi") 3. For bleeding from the gums with excessive saliva: fresh Zhuru 60 g. Boil in vinegar and hold in the mouth. ("Qianjin Yaofang") 4. For hematuria (blood in urine): a large piece of Zhuru. Decoct in water and take orally. ("Shiyi Dexiao Fang")
