Introduction of Shi Chang Pu: Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome
✵The article documents Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—Acorus tatarinowii Schott., and provides a detailed description of the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shí Chānɡ Pú
English Name: Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii Properties and Flavors: Warm; pungent, bitter.
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii is the dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. It is used (1) as an aromatic stimulant to treat impaired consciousness, psychosis, and epilepsy; and (2) to resolve dampness and harmonize the stomach in cases of damp accumulation in the middle jiao, manifesting as anorexia, epigastric distension, and abdominal distension. Commonly known names include Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii, Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome, Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome, Rhizome of Grassleaf Sweetflag, and Shí Chāng Pú.
Botanical Source: Common herbal works and classical herbal works define Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome) as the dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Acorus L., family Araceae (aroid or arum family), order Arales. The species is described below:
(1) Acorus tatarinowii Schott.
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Shí Chāng Pú, this is a perennial herb. The rhizome is decumbent, aromatic, 2–5 mm thick (up to 5–8 mm), with a tawny (yellowish-brown) outer bark; internodes are 3–5 mm long; roots are succulent and bear numerous fibrous roots. The upper part of the rhizome is densely branched, resulting in a tufted growth habit; branches are often covered with fibriform, persistent leaf bases. Leaves are sessile; leaf blades are thin and linear (filiform), 20–30 cm long (up to 50 cm), folded at the base, with the portion above the midpoint flattened; width is 7–13 mm; apex is attenuate; both sides of the leaf base are membranous; leaf sheaths are up to 5 mm wide, extend upward nearly to the midpoint of the blade, are dark green, lack a midvein, possess numerous parallel veins, and are slightly prominent.
The common peduncle is axillary, 4–15 cm long, and trigonous. The spathe is leaflike, 13–25 cm long—two to five times the length of the spadix (or longer), rarely nearly equal in length. The spadix is terete (cylindrical), 2.5–8.5 cm long and 4–7 mm thick; its upper portion is acuminate, erect, or slightly curved. Flowers are white.
The mature infructescence (fruiting spike) is 7–8 cm long and up to 1 cm in diameter. Immature fruit is green, turning yellow-green or yellowish-white at maturity. Flowering and fruiting occur from February to June.
Ecological Environment: This plant thrives in wet, shady habitats—such as marshes, wetlands within dense forests, or on rocks adjacent to mountain streams—and is predominantly distributed in China.
Growth Characteristics: It prefers cold, cool and moist climates, moist and shaded environments; exhibits cold tolerance; and is sensitive to drought. Suitable cultivation sites include wetlands, marshes, irrigated fields, sandy loam, or humus-rich loam.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is a flattened cylinder—slightly curved and often branched—3–20 cm long and 0.3–1 cm in diameter. The surface is tan (chocolate brown), reddish-brown, or sallow (grayish-yellow), coarse and rough, with numerous nodes and joints; internode length is 2–8 mm. On the upper side, slightly flattened triangular leaf scars are alternately arranged left-to-right; on the lower side, dot-like root scars are present, and sometimes trichoid leaf bases persist at the nodes. The texture is hard and brittle; the fracture surface is fibrous, off-white or faintly reddish. In cross-section, the endodermal ring is conspicuous, with numerous vascular bundles and brown oil spots visible. The herb has a strong aromatic odor and tastes bitter with a slight pungency. High-grade herb material is characterized by thick, intact segments, an off-white fracture surface, and a pronounced fragrance.
Medicinal Efficacy: Resuscitation, phlegm-resolving, intellect-tonifying, qi-regulating, blood-activating, wind-dispelling, dampness-eliminating, qi-circulating, dampness-resolving, appetite-stimulating, arthralgia-relieving, swelling-reducing, and pain-relieving. It is indicated for coma and epilepsy (i.e., impaired consciousness and seizures), amnesia (i.e., forgetfulness and poor memory), insomnia (i.e., difficulty sleeping), febrile coma (i.e., loss of consciousness due to fever), emotional restlessness and anxiety, phlegm-induced syncope, tinnitus and deafness associated with qi stagnation, stomachache, abdominal pain, epigastric distension and pain, chest tightness and oppression, mutism, dysentery with mutism, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, carbuncles and abscesses, pyogenic infections, scabies, and traumatic injuries.
Administration of Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Shí Chānɡ Pú):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Shí Chānɡ Pú)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–10 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–2 qián (≈3–6 grams); fresh herb, 3–8 qián (≈9–24 grams); or prepared as pills or powders. External use: Wash affected area with decoction, or apply powdered herb topically. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–6 grams; fresh herb, double the dose (≈6–12 grams); or prepared as pills or powders. External use: As needed—wash with decoction or apply powdered herb topically.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii is contraindicated with Sonerila cantonensis (Canton sonerila herb), etc. The herb should not be taken concurrently with maltose (malt sugar) or mutton. Preparation and storage must avoid iron utensils.
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1.Introduction of Shi Chang Pu: Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome
✵The article documents Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—Acorus tatarinowii Schott., and provides a detailed description of the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shí Chānɡ Pú
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Shí Chāng Pú, this is a perennial herb. The rhizome is decumbent, aromatic, 2–5 mm thick (up to 5–8 mm), with a tawny (yellowish-brown) outer bark; internodes are 3–5 mm long; roots are succulent and bear numerous fibrous roots. The upper part of the rhizome is densely branched, resulting in a tufted growth habit; branches are often covered with fibriform, persistent leaf bases. Leaves are sessile; leaf blades are thin and linear (filiform), 20–30 cm long (up to 50 cm), folded at the base, with the portion above the midpoint flattened; width is 7–13 mm; apex is attenuate; both sides of the leaf base are membranous; leaf sheaths are up to 5 mm wide, extend upward nearly to the midpoint of the blade, are dark green, lack a midvein, possess numerous parallel veins, and are slightly prominent.
The common peduncle is axillary, 4–15 cm long, and trigonous. The spathe is leaflike, 13–25 cm long—two to five times the length of the spadix (or longer), rarely nearly equal in length. The spadix is terete (cylindrical), 2.5–8.5 cm long and 4–7 mm thick; its upper portion is acuminate, erect, or slightly curved. Flowers are white.
Ecological Environment: This plant thrives in wet, shady habitats—such as marshes, wetlands within dense forests, or on rocks adjacent to mountain streams—and is predominantly distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is a flattened cylinder—slightly curved and often branched—3–20 cm long and 0.3–1 cm in diameter. The surface is tan (chocolate brown), reddish-brown, or sallow (grayish-yellow), coarse and rough, with numerous nodes and joints; internode length is 2–8 mm. On the upper side, slightly flattened triangular leaf scars are alternately arranged left-to-right; on the lower side, dot-like root scars are present, and sometimes trichoid leaf bases persist at the nodes. The texture is hard and brittle; the fracture surface is fibrous, off-white or faintly reddish. In cross-section, the endodermal ring is conspicuous, with numerous vascular bundles and brown oil spots visible. The herb has a strong aromatic odor and tastes bitter with a slight pungency. High-grade herb material is characterized by thick, intact segments, an off-white fracture surface, and a pronounced fragrance.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Anticonvulsant (anticonvulsive effect); (2) Analgesic; (3) Sedative (tranquilizing effect); (4) Cognitive-enhancing (promotes learning and memory); (5) Antipyretic (cooling effect); etc.
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