Introduction of Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí: Syringa reticulata Stem-Bark
✵This article documents the herb Syringa reticulata stem-bark, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, one plant species: (1) Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara—with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Cortex Syringae
Pinyin Name: Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí
English Name: Syringa reticulata Stem-Bark
Latin Name:Cortex Syringae Properties and Flavor: Slightly warm; pungent and bitter.
Brief Introduction:Cortex Syringae is the dried stem-bark of Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara. It is used as an antipyretic, antitussive, and diuretic for treating acute or chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cardiac edema. It is commonly known as Cortex Syringae or Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí.
Botanical Source:Cortex Syringae is the dried stem-bark of Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara, a plant of the genus Syringa L., family Oleaceae (olive family), order Lamiales (formerly in order Contortae. It is also known as Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí.
Classical herbal works define Cortex Syringae as the dried stem-bark of: (1) Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara
Botanical Description:Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara is also known as Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. amurensis (Rupr.) Pringle, or Syringa amurensis Rupr., or Bào Mǎ Dīng Xiāng. It is a deciduous small tree, growing up to 4–10 m tall. The bark is purplish grayish-brown with fine cracks. Current-year branches are green or slightly tinged with purple and bear sparse lenticels. Leaves are simple and opposite; petioles are 1–2.5 cm long and glabrous; leaf blades are thickly chartaceous (papery), broadly ovate, ovate to elliptic-ovate, or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5–13 cm long and 1–6 cm wide; the apex is shortly caudate to caudate-acuminate or pointed; the base is usually rounded.
Panicles arise from single or multiple pairs of lateral shoots inserted on the same branch; the rachis bears lenticels; pedicels are ~2 mm long; the calyx is 1.5–2 mm long, with obtuse, convex, or truncate calyx teeth; the corolla is white, rotate, 4–5 mm in diameter; the corolla tube is ~1.5 mm long; lobes are ovoid (egg-shaped), 2–3 mm long, with acute apices; filaments are slender; stamens are nearly twice as long as the corolla lobes; anthers are yellow.
The fruit is a capsule, oblong-ovoid, 1.5–2 cm long; the apex is often obtuse or acute, convex, smooth, or bearing fine lenticels. Flowering occurs from June to July; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in thickets, at forest margins, or in mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests on slopes at altitudes of 100–1,200 m above sea level. It is also cultivated.
Growth Characteristics: This species grows in thickets, at forest margins, or in mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests on slopes at altitudes of 100–1,200 m above sea level. It is also cultivated.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as shallow grooves or clintheriform pieces, slightly concave, variable in length, and 2–4 mm thick. The outer surface is dark grayish-brown; the young cortex is smooth and glossy, whereas the aged cortex is rough and coarse, marked by fissures formed during growth. Transverse lenticels are elliptical and pale brown; the cork layer is thin and tough, occurring in transverse, strip-like fragments; the exfoliated portions are yellowish to light yellow-green and slightly glossy. The inner surface is yellowish to light yellowish-brown. The texture is brittle and easily fractured; the fracture surface is uneven. The herb has a mild fragrance and a bitter taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Promotes lung Qi dispersion and resolves phlegm; relieves cough and prevents asthma; alleviates water retention. Indicated for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cardiac edema.
Administration of Cortex Syringae (Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Cortex Syringae (Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:0.5–1 liang (approximately 15–30 grams), (2) water decoction; (3) water decoction, 15–30 grams. Alternatively, prepared as finely ground herb powder or formulated into pills or powders.
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1.Introduction of Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí: Syringa reticulata Stem-Bark
✵This article documents the herb Syringa reticulata stem-bark, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, one plant species: (1) Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara—with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Bào Mǎ Zǐ Pí
Botanical Description: Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hara is also known as Syringa reticulata (Bl.) Hara var. amurensis (Rupr.) Pringle, or Syringa amurensis Rupr., or Bào Mǎ Dīng Xiāng. It is a deciduous small tree, growing up to 4–10 m tall. The bark is purplish grayish-brown with fine cracks. Current-year branches are green or slightly tinged with purple and bear sparse lenticels. Leaves are simple and opposite; petioles are 1–2.5 cm long and glabrous; leaf blades are thickly chartaceous (papery), broadly ovate, ovate to elliptic-ovate, or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5–13 cm long and 1–6 cm wide; the apex is shortly caudate to caudate-acuminate or pointed; the base is usually rounded.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in thickets, at forest margins, or in mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests on slopes at altitudes of 100–1,200 m above sea level. It is also cultivated.
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