Pinyin: Aidicha
Aliases
Pingdinu, Yexiahong, Aijiaocao
Source
Herb of the family Myrsinaceae, Ardisia japonicaArdisia japonicaDried whole herb of (Thunb.) Bl.
Botanical Description
Subshrub, erect, stem height up to 40 cm. With creeping rhizome; nearly trailing, unbranched, covered with fine soft hairs when young. Leaves opposite or nearly whorled; leaf blade firm papery or subleathery, elliptic to elliptic-obovate, 4-7 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, apex acute, base cuneate, margin finely serrate, somewhat glandular, sometimes only the midvein on the abaxial surface covered with fine soft hairs; lateral veins 5-8 pairs, veinlets reticulate. Subumbellate inflorescences, axillary or in leaf axils near the stem apex, with 3-5 flowers; flowers 5-merous, sometimes 6-merous; sepals ovate, about 1.5 mm long or slightly shorter, ciliate, sometimes glandular; petals pink or white, broadly ovate, 4-5 mm long, densely glandular; stamens slightly shorter than petals, anthers lanceolate-ovate or ovate, with glands on the back; pistil as long as petals, ovules 15, in 3 whorls. Fruit globose, 5-6 mm in diameter, bright red, somewhat glandular. Flowering period May to June, fruiting period November to December.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows under low-altitude forests or bamboo groves below 1200 m. It is distributed in Shaanxi and south of the Yangtze River basin.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest 3-4 years after planting, in August-September. It is advisable to use the method of digging densely and leaving sparsely, or leave 2-3 plants per 25 cm unharvested, which can be harvested again after 2-3 years. After digging, wash clean and sun-dry.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains ardisinol I, ardisinol II, ardisin, bergenin, quercitrin, and other components.
Pharmacology
It has antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects and also possesses certain antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Acrid, slightly bitter, neutral. Enters the Lung and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Expectorant, relieves cough, promotes diuresis, and activates blood circulation. Indications: acute and chronic cough, blood-tinged sputum, jaundice, edema, strangury syndrome, leukorrhea, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, wind-damp impediment pain, traumatic injury, and testicular swelling and pain.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct 6-15 g in water; or fresh product, crush to extract juice for oral administration. External use: apply appropriate amount, crush and apply topically, or decoct in water for washing.
Prescriptions
1. For bronchitis: Aidicha 20 g, Luyuexue and Feijingcao 10 g each. 1 dose daily, decoct in water and take in 2 divided doses. (Chinese Ethnic Medicine Gazette) 2. For chronic bronchitis: Aidicha 12 g, Hutuyezi and Yuxingcao 15 g each, Jiegeng 6 g. Decoct in water and take in 3 divided doses, 1 dose daily. (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) 3. For pulmonary abscess: Aidicha 30 g, Yuxingcao 30 g. Decoct in water and take in 2 divided doses. (Jiangxi Folk Herbal Medicine) 4. For acute icteric hepatitis: Aidicha, Yinxingcao, and Cheqiancao 30 g each, Baimaogen 15 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) 5. For nephritis with edema, hematuria, and oliguria: Aidicha, Cheqiancao, Lücao, and Guizhencao 9 g each. Decoct in water and take orally. (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) 6. For leukorrhea: Aidicha 30 g, Baibiandou and Chungenbaipi 12 g each. Decoct and take orally. (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine)
