Introduction of Tu Niu Xi:Native Achyranthes Root or Radix Achyranthis Asperae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Native Achyranthes Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source four plant species, ①.Achyranthes bidentata Blume., ②.Achyranthes longifolia., ③.Achyranthes aspera L., ④.Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these four plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these four plant species, the features of the herb Native Achyranthes Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Tǔ Niú Xī.
English Name: Native Achyranthes Root, Twotooth Achyranthes Root.
Latin Name: Radix Achyranthis Asperae.
Property and flavor: cold, sweet, slightly bitter, slightly sour.
Brief introduction: The herb Radix Achyranthis Asperae is the dried root of Achyranthes aspera L. and other related species, used for treating sore throat and diphtheria. The herb is commonly known as Radix Achyranthis Asperae, Native Achyranthes Root, Tǔ Niú Xī.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Radix Achyranthis Asperae (Native Achyranthes Root) as the dried root of (1).Achyranthes bidentata Blume., (2).Achyranthes longifolia., (3).Achyranthes aspera L.(4).Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L. They are plants of the Achyranthes L. genus, Amaranthaceae family (amaranth family), and Centrospermae order. These 4 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Achyranthes bidentata Blume.
Botanical description: Achyranthes bidentata Blume is also known as Achyranthes bidentata BL., is commonly known as Niú Xī, Yě Niú Xī, Shān Xiàn Cài. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 70~120 cm high. The root is cylindrical, 5~10 mm in diameter, and khaki (stone yellow). Stems are angular or square, green or purplish, with white appressed or explanate pilose, or glabrate, branches are opposite, and nodes are swollen. Simple leaves are opposite; petioles are 5~30 mm long; leaf blades are membranous, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 5~12 cm long, 2~6 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is broadly cuneate, entire, both surfaces are pilose.
Spikes are apical and axillary, 3-5 cm long, reflexed after the flowering phase; peduncles are 1~2 cm long, with white pilose; flowers are many, dense, 5 mm long; bracts are broadly ovate, 2~3 mm long, the apex is long acuminate; bracteoles are spinous, 2.5~3 mm long, the apex is curved, with 1 oval membranous lobule on each side of the base, about 1 mm long; tepals are lanceolate, 3~5 mm long, glossy, the apex is sharp-pointed, with 1 midrib; stamen is 2~2.5 mm long; apex of staminode is flat and round, slightly incised-serrulate.
Utricles are oblong, 2~2.5 mm long, tawny (yellow brown), and smooth. Seeds are oblong, 1 mm long, and tawny. Its flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in the forest of the hillside at altitudes of 200~1,750 meters above sea level, on forest edges, grass on hillsides or mountain slopes, and at the side of the house. Except for the northeast, it is widely distributed in other areas of China. In some areas, it is cultivated in large quantities.
Growth characteristics: The plant Achyranthes bidentata Blume is a plant with a deep root system, the plant prefers a warm and arid climate, not tolerant to cold, plants are susceptible to freezing and death when the temperature lowers to -17 °C (Celsius, or 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit). It is better to choose a field with deep soil layers and sandy loam for cultivation; clay soil and alkaline soil are not suitable for its growth.
Characters of herbs: Herbs of wild origin: The rhizome is cylindrical, 1~3 cm long, 5~10 mm in diameter, taupe brown (grayish brown), with residual stem base at the upper end, and many thin or thick roots insert around. The root is long cylindrical, slightly curved, length is less than 15 cm, and up to 4 mm in diameter; the surface is pale taupe brown with fine and dense longitudinal wrinkles. The texture of the herb is slightly soft, and easy to break after it is dried thoroughly, the fracture surface is yellowish-brown, and vascular bundles in the circular hash are visible. The herb has a slight odor, and it tastes slight sweet.
Pharmacological actions: ①.antifertility effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Activate blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis, activate blood circulation and dispels blood stasis, clearing dampness and diuretic, purge fire and detoxify, clear heat and detoxify, diuretic and treating stranguria. It is indicated for gonorrhea, hematuria, female amenorrhea, abdominal mass, rheumatic joint pain, beriberi, edema, dysentery, malaria, diphtheria, sore throat, stranguria, carbuncle, edema, injury from a fall, etc.
Administration of Radix Achyranthis Asperae (Tǔ Niú Xī):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Achyranthis Asperae (Tǔ Niú Xī)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:water decoction, 3~5 qian (about 9~15 grams),fresh herb 1~2 liang (about 30~60 grams),Externally:mashed and apply stick, extract juice and drip to ear, or prepare to finely ground herb powder and blow to the throat; ②.Internally:water decoction, 9~15 grams, fresh herb 30~60 grams.Externally:proper amount,mashed and apply stick,extract juice and drip to ear, or prepare to finely ground herb powder and blow to the throat.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: should avoid using the herb Radix Achyranthis Asperae during pregnancy.
(2).Achyranthes longifolia.
Botanical description: Achyranthes longifolia (Makino) Makino is also known as Achyranthes bidentata var. longifolia. It is commonly known as Liǔ Yè Niú Xī, Achyranthes longifolia Makino or Willow-Leaf Achyranthes. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 1 meter high. The stem is upright, square, nodes are enlarged and sparsely covered with pilose; leaf blades are opposite, leaf blades are oblong-lanceolate or wide lanceolate, 10~18 cm long, 2~3 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is cuneate, entire, both surfaces are sparsely covered with pilose; petioles are 0.2~1 cm long, covered with pilose;
Inflorescence is spicate, apical or axillary, thin and long, peduncle is covered with pilose; flower bracts are oval (egg-shaped), 2 bracteoles, aciculiform (aciform), with 1 auriform membraneous lobule on both sides of the base, 5 tepals, lanceolate, about 3 mm long; 5 stamens, bases of filaments connate, staminode is square, apex has inconspicuous teeth;
Utricles are nearly elliptic, about 2.5 mm long; its flowering period is from September to October, and the fruiting period is from October to November.
Ecological environment: The plant grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, ditch sides, and roadsides. The plant is distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Zhujiang river area, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The rhizomes are short and thick, 2~6 cm long, and 1~1.5 cm in diameter. 4~9 roots, twisted, 10~20 cm long, and 0.4~1.2 cm in diameter, narrowing downward. The surface is grayish yellow-brown, with fine and dense longitudinal wrinkles and traces after fibrous roots are removed. The texture of the herb is hard and slightly elastic, easy to break, the cortex of the fracture surface is pale taupe (pale dust color) and slightly bright, and many scattered dot-like vascular bundles are visible. The herb has a slight odor, and it tastes slight sweet in the beginning, then puckery later.
(3).Achyranthes aspera L.
Botanical description: Achyranthes aspera L is commonly known as Cū Máo Niú Xī (means crude hair Achyranthes), or Tǔ Niú Xī. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 20~120 cm tall. The root is slender, 3~5 mm in diameter, and khaki. The stem is four-prismatic, pilose, nodes are slightly enlarged, branches are opposite. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 5~15 mm long; leaf blades are chartaceous (papery), broadly ovate obovoid or ellipsoid-oblong, 1.5~7 cm long, 0.4~4 cm wide, the apex is obtuse, protrudent pointed (protrusion), the base is cuneate or rounded, entire or undulate, both surfaces are densely covered with coarse hairs.
Spikes are terminal, upright, 10-30 cm long, reflexed after the flowering phase; peduncles are angular, stout (thick and strong), firm and hard, densely covered with white appressed or explanate pilose; flowers are 3~4 mm long, sparsely growing; bracts are lanceolate, 3~4 mm long, the apex is long acuminate; bracteoles are spinous, 2.5~4.5 mm long, firm and hard, glossy, often purplish, has 1 membranous wing on each side of the base, 1.5~2 mm long, entire, all adnate to spines, but easily detachable; tapels (perianth lobes) are lanceolate, 3.5~5 mm long, long and acuminate, stiffened and sharp-pointed after flowering phase, with 1 vein; stamens are 2.5~3.5 mm long; the tip of staminodes is truncated or finely crenate, with branched penicillate (fringelike) long marginal seta (tricholoma).
Utricles are oval (egg-shaped), and 2.5~3 mm long. Seeds are oval, not oblate, about 2 mm long, and brown. Its flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is October.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in open forests on hillsides or mountain slopes, or open fields near villages. The plant is distributed in the southern, southwest, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm climate, not tolerant to cold, chill-proof measures should be applied during winter in the northern area. The plant grows well in sandy loam, but clay soil is not suitable for cultivation.
Characters of herbs: The rhizome is short cylindrical, taupe brown (gray-brown), many cylindrical thin and long roots insert around, 6~10 cm long, 2~5 mm in diameter, and slightly curved. The surface is taupe brown (grayish brown), and there are thin and shallow longitudinal wrinkles. The texture of the herb is hard, and easily broken, and the fracture surface is fibrous, pale gray cyan (pale gray-blue) to ash gray (grayish-white). The herb tastes mild and odourlessness.
(4).Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L.
Botanical description: Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L is also known as Achyranthes obtusifolia., it is commonly known as Dùn Yè Tǔ Niú Xī (means peltate leaves Achyranthes). A perennial herb, its plant morphology is similar to Achyranthes bidentata Blume, but its taproot is short and has many branches, and the root is dry and hard, firewood-like. The plant is thick and firm, the stem is densely covered with white or yellow pilose. Leaf blades are obovate, 3~7 cm long, 2~6.5 cm wide, the apex is often protrudent pointed, the base is broadly cuneate, the edge is undulated, and both surfaces are densely covered with pilose.
Spikes are straight, staminode is penicillate (fringelike). Its flowering period is from August to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes. The plant is distributed in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangdong, and other areas of China. The plant is also distributed in Sri Lanka.
Characters of herbs: The features of the rhizome are similar to the rhizome of Achyranthes aspera, slightly thick and big.
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References:
1.Introduction of Tu Niu Xi:Native Achyranthes Root or Radix Achyranthis Asperae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Native Achyranthes Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source four plant species, ①.Achyranthes bidentata Blume., ②.Achyranthes longifolia., ③.Achyranthes aspera L., ④.Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these four plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these four plant species, the features of the herb Native Achyranthes Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Tǔ Niú Xī.
Botanical description: Achyranthes bidentata Blume is also known as Achyranthes bidentata BL., is commonly known as Niú Xī, Yě Niú Xī, Shān Xiàn Cài. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 70~120 cm high. The root is cylindrical, 5~10 mm in diameter, and khaki (stone yellow). Stems are angular or square, green or purplish, with white appressed or explanate pilose, or glabrate, branches are opposite, and nodes are swollen. Simple leaves are opposite; petioles are 5~30 mm long; leaf blades are membranous, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 5~12 cm long, 2~6 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is broadly cuneate, entire, both surfaces are pilose.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in the forest of the hillside at altitudes of 200~1,750 meters above sea level, on forest edges, grass on hillsides or mountain slopes, and at the side of the house. Except for the northeast, it is widely distributed in other areas of China. In some areas, it is cultivated in large quantities.
Botanical description: Achyranthes longifolia (Makino) Makino is also known as Achyranthes bidentata var. longifolia. It is commonly known as Liǔ Yè Niú Xī, Achyranthes longifolia Makino or Willow-Leaf Achyranthes. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 1 meter high. The stem is upright, square, nodes are enlarged and sparsely covered with pilose; leaf blades are opposite, leaf blades are oblong-lanceolate or wide lanceolate, 10~18 cm long, 2~3 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is cuneate, entire, both surfaces are sparsely covered with pilose; petioles are 0.2~1 cm long, covered with pilose;
Inflorescence is spicate, apical or axillary, thin and long, peduncle is covered with pilose; flower bracts are oval (egg-shaped), 2 bracteoles, aciculiform (aciform), with 1 auriform membraneous lobule on both sides of the base, 5 tepals, lanceolate, about 3 mm long; 5 stamens, bases of filaments connate, staminode is square, apex has inconspicuous teeth;
Characters of herbs: The rhizomes are short and thick, 2~6 cm long, and 1~1.5 cm in diameter. 4~9 roots, twisted, 10~20 cm long, and 0.4~1.2 cm in diameter, narrowing downward. The surface is grayish yellow-brown, with fine and dense longitudinal wrinkles and traces after fibrous roots are removed. The texture of the herb is hard and slightly elastic, easy to break, the cortex of the fracture surface is pale taupe (pale dust color) and slightly bright, and many scattered dot-like vascular bundles are visible. The herb has a slight odor, and it tastes slight sweet in the beginning, then puckery later.
Botanical description: Achyranthes aspera L is commonly known as Cū Máo Niú Xī (means crude hair Achyranthes), or Tǔ Niú Xī. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 20~120 cm tall. The root is slender, 3~5 mm in diameter, and khaki. The stem is four-prismatic, pilose, nodes are slightly enlarged, branches are opposite. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 5~15 mm long; leaf blades are chartaceous (papery), broadly ovate obovoid or ellipsoid-oblong, 1.5~7 cm long, 0.4~4 cm wide, the apex is obtuse, protrudent pointed (protrusion), the base is cuneate or rounded, entire or undulate, both surfaces are densely covered with coarse hairs.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in open forests on hillsides or mountain slopes, or open fields near villages. The plant is distributed in the southern, southwest, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Botanical description: Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L is also known as Achyranthes obtusifolia., it is commonly known as Dùn Yè Tǔ Niú Xī (means peltate leaves Achyranthes). A perennial herb, its plant morphology is similar to Achyranthes bidentata Blume, but its taproot is short and has many branches, and the root is dry and hard, firewood-like. The plant is thick and firm, the stem is densely covered with white or yellow pilose. Leaf blades are obovate, 3~7 cm long, 2~6.5 cm wide, the apex is often protrudent pointed, the base is broadly cuneate, the edge is undulated, and both surfaces are densely covered with pilose.
Ecological environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes. The plant is distributed in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangdong, and other areas of China. The plant is also distributed in Sri Lanka.
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