Pinyin: Panlongshen
Aliases
Zhu Liao Shen, Zhu Bian Cao, Long Chan Zhu, Hai Zhu Cao
Source
Orchidaceae family plant Spiranthes sinensisSpiranthessinensisRoot and whole plant of (Pers.) Ames.
Plant
Morphology
Terrestrial plant, 15-50 cm tall. Stem erect, with several thick, fleshy roots clustered at the base, bearing 2-4 leaves near the base. Leaves linear-oblanceolate or linear, 10-20 cm long, 4-10 mm wide. Inflorescence terminal, 10-20 cm long, with numerous densely packed small flowers, resembling a spike; flowers white or pale red, spirally arranged; bracts ovate, long-acuminate; dorsal sepal linear, apex obtuse, about 5 mm long, about 1.3 mm wide, lateral sepals equal in length but narrower; petals equal in length to dorsal sepal but thinner, apex very obtuse, lip suboblong, 4-5 mm long, about 2.5 mm wide, apex very obtuse, spreading, margin entire from base to middle, strongly crisped-undulate and dentate above the middle, with wavy long hairs on the surface above the middle, base slightly concave, forming a shallow sac, with 2 protrusions inside the sac.
Habitat and Distribution
Born at altitudes of 400-3500 m in understory forests, under shrubs, grasslands, roadsides, or ditch-side thickets. Distributed throughout China.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn, used fresh or dried in the sun.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains spiranthesol A, spiranthesol B, spiranthesol C, spiranthesin A, spiranthesin B, spiranthoquinone, spiranthesol dimer, orchinol,β- Sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, nonadecyl ferulate, octacosyl ferulate, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and other constituents.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, bitter, and neutral. Enters the Lung and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Tonifies Qi and nourishes Yin, clears Heat and resolves toxicity. Indications: weakness after illness, Yin deficiency with internal Heat, cough with blood-streaked sputum, dizziness, soreness and weakness of the lower back, diabetes mellitus, nocturnal emission, turbid urine and leukorrhea, sore throat, venomous snake bite, scalds and burns, sores, abscesses, and furuncles.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 9-15 g; fresh whole herb 15-30 g. External: apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, pounded.
Prescriptions
1. For Qi deficiency with vaginal discharge: 30 g of Spiranthes sinensis and 1 black fish. Stew and take orally. (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982) 2. For sore throat: a. 9 g of Spiranthes sinensis root. Decoct in water, add 0.6 g of borneol, and hold in the mouth before swallowing slowly. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine) b. 15 g of Spiranthes sinensis and 15 g of Ardisia crispa. Decoct in water and take orally. (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982) 3. For infantile summer fever: 6 g of Spiranthes sinensis and 15 g of Commelina communis. Decoct in water and take orally. (Hong Kong Chinese Herbal Medicine) 4. For diabetes: 30-60 g of fresh Spiranthes sinensis root, 15 g of Ginkgo biloba seed, and 1 pig pancreas. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fujian Materia Medica) 5. For nephritis: 30-60 g of fresh Spiranthes sinensis, and 30 g each of Cassytha filiformis, Lysimachia fortunei, and Luffa cylindrica root. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fujian Materia Medica) 6. For venomous snake bite, carbuncle, and finger felon: Appropriate amounts of fresh Spiranthes sinensis and Ainsliaea fragrans. Pound into a paste and apply to the affected area. (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982) 7. For herpes zoster: Appropriate amount of Spiranthes sinensis root. Dry in the sun, grind into powder, mix with sesame oil, and apply topically. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine) 8. For scalds and burns: 30 g of Spiranthes sinensis, 5 earthworms, and a small amount of white sugar. Pound together into a paste for external application, changing the dressing once daily. (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine)
