Introduction of Bai Tou Weng:Chinese Pulsatilla Root or Radix Pulsatillae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Chinese Pulsatilla Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source six plant species, ①.Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel., ②.Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg., ③.Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz., ④.Pulsatilla dahurica(Fisch.ex DC.)Spreng., ⑤.Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz., ⑥.Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel., and the botanical source of the herb Pulsatilla defined by the herbal classics of North America and Europe, two plant species, ⑦.Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller(syn. with Anemone pulsatilla L.), ⑧.Pulsatilla pratensis L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these eight plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these eight plant species, the features of the herb Chinese Pulsatilla Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Radix Pulsatillae(Chinese Pulsatilla Root).
Pin Yin Name: Bái Tóu Wēnɡ.
English Name: Chinese Pulsatilla Root.
Latin Name: Radix Pulsatillae.
Property and flavor: cold, bitter.
Brief introduction: The Herb Radix Pulsatillae is the dried root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel., used for treating bacterial and amebic dysentery, and externally for trichomona vaginitis.The herb is commonly known as Radix Pulsatillae, Chinese Pulsatilla Root, Bái Tóu Wēnɡ.
Botanical source: The herb Radix Pulsatillae (Chinese Pulsatilla Root) is the dried root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel., it is a plant of the Anemone Genus, the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) of the Ranunculales order.
Common herbal classics of China defined the herb Radix Pulsatillae (Chinese Pulsatilla Root, Bai Tou Weng) as the dry root of several Ranunculaceae family plant species, including (1). Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel., or (2). Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg., or (3). Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz., or (4). Pulsatilla dahurica(Fisch.ex DC.)Spreng., or (5). Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz., or (6). Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel.; the herb stem and leaf of Chinese Pulsatilla(Bai Tou Weng Jing Ye), and the herb Flower of Chinese Pulsatilla(Bai Tou Weng Hua) also comes from stem, leaf or flower parts of the above species, accordingly. The common herbal classics of North America and Europe defined the herb Pulsatilla as the dried above-ground parts of 2 species of the Ranunculaceae family:(7). Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller(syn. with Anemone pulsatilla L.) and (8). Pulsatilla pratensis L. These 8 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel is also known as Anemone chinensis Bunge, is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and nemone genus, it is also known as Anemone chinensis Bunge, or Bai Tou Weng, Nai He Cao, Bai Tou Cao. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 15~35 cm high. The rhizome is thick, 8~15 mm in diameter. 4~5 basal leaves (radical leaves), grow out of the ground during flowering, leaves are 3-parted; petioles are 7~15 cm long, covered with dense pilose; leaf blade outline is broad-ovate, 4.5~14 cm long, 6.5~16 cm wide, the upper surface is covered with sparse hairs, fall off in late-stage and turn glabrous, the undersurface is densely covered with long pilose, trifurcated, central parted lobes has petiole or are subsessile, 3-parted, central parted lobes are cuneate-ovate, or narrowly cuneate, entire or dentate, lateral parted lobes are different in size, 2 lobed; lateral divided lobes are sessile or subsessile, different in size from 3-parted lobes.
1~2 scapes, grow after flowering, 15~35 cm high, 3 bracts, the base connate, the hypanthium (calyx tube) is 3~10 mm long, lobes are striate, outside is densely villous, inside is glabrous; flowers are hermaphroditic, single, upright, pedicels are 2.5~5.5 cm long; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, narrowly ovate or oblong-ovate, 2.8~4.4 cm long, 9~20 mm wide, royal purple (bluish violet), densely pilose outside; petals are absent; many stamens, about half-length of sepals; carpels are many, covered with hairs.
Achenes are 3-4 mm long, villous, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, 3.5~6.5 cm long. Its flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from June to July.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel grows in plains and grassland on low hillsides and mountain slopes, forest edges, or dry rocky slopes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and other areas of China.
Ornamental value: there are more than 30 species of pulsatilla, flower is campaniform (bell-shaped), with white, purple, and blue colors, whole coat, very strange, the time from flowering to the maturity of capsularfruit is about a month and a half, the first flower viewing fruit. In summer and autumn, the leaves are green, but after the frost it turns to hibernation, as a wild-rooted plant, year planting for many years ornamental, to overcome the biennial herb flower high cost, easy to degenerate the shortcomings of varieties, can be planted in the gardens of forest gaps and shrubs, or in natural ways, because of its early flowering, short plants, is the ideal ground cover species, fruit is plumelike and style is persistent, capitate, very chic. It can also be used to enjoy flower beds or potted plants. Besides, Pulsatilla is very sensitive to acid rain. Pulsatilla died soon after acid rain fell. This characteristic of Pulsatilla not only makes it an indicator plant for detecting environmental pollution, but also increases its value as an ornamental flower.
Growth characteristics: Pulsatilla chinensis prefers a cool and dry climate. Cold resistance, drought resistance, and high-temperature resistance. The sandy loam with deep soil layers and good drainage is the best for growing, alluvial soil and clay loam are the next, and the low land with poor drainage is not suitable for planting. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral, and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Characters of herbs: The root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel is long cylindrical or conical, slightly curved, sometimes twisted and slightly flat, 5~20 cm long, and 0.5~2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish brown or tan (chocolate brown), with irregular vertical wrinkles or grooves, sometimes 2~3 branch roots are separated from the middle part, and the cortex is easy to fall off to expose the yellow xylem (wood part), and often decays into concave holes, showing the reticulated pattern of vertical protrusions; the root head is slightly enlarged, sometimes bifurcated, and several layers of sheath-like petiole base and young leaves remain at the top, with dense white long hairs. The texture of the herb is hard and brittle (crisp), the fracture surface is slightly flat, the cortex is yellow-white or yellowish-brown, sometimes there are gaps between the cortex and the xylem (wood part), and the xylem (wood part) is primrose yellow (pale yellow). The herb has a slight taste, and it tastes slightly bitter and puckery. The herb of a better grade has thick and long strips, and the texture of the herb is solid and firm.
Pharmacological actions: ①.significantly inhibit the growth of amoeba; ②.inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Dysentery bacillus, and Typhoid bacillus; ③.inhibitory and insecticidal action on Trichomonas vaginalis, fights the influenza virus, and so on effect; ④.sedative and analgesic effects.
Medicinal efficacy: Clear heat and detoxify, cool blood and stanch dysentery, drying dampness, and insecticidal action. It is indicated for fever, bloody dysentery of toxic heat, amoebic dysentery, red and white dysentery, epistaxis, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, hemorrhoids, cold and heat type warm malaria (characterized by the patient's running a fever followed by feeling cold), morbid leukorrhea, pruritus vulvae, scrofula, eczema, carbuncle and sores, red eyes and pains.
Administration of Radix Pulsatillae (Bái Tóu Wēnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Pulsatillae (Bái Tóu Wēnɡ)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 9~15 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 3~5 qian (about 9~15 grams), fresh herb 0.5~1 liang (about 15~30 grams),or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:mashed and apply stick; ③.Internally:water decoction, 15~30 grams, prepared to pill, powder.Externally:proper amount,wash with water decoction or mashed and apply stick.
(2).Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and nemone genus, it is also known as Slim Leaf Pulsatilla, or Xi Ye Bai Tou Weng (means thin-leaf pulsatilla), or Xi Lie Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 15~25 cm high. 4~5 basal leaves, growing on the base and growing out of the ground in the flowering phase. Bipinnate or tripinnate pinnately compound leaves; petioles are 5~8 cm long, sometimes up to 14 cm long, sparsely covered with white pilose; leaf blade outline is narrowly elliptic or oval (egg-shaped), 7~8.5 cm long, 2.5~4 cm wide, pinnae are in 3~4 pairs, pinna on the lower part has a petiole, pinna on the upper part is sessile, the pinna is also known as pinniform cracking, lobes are linear-lanceolate or linear, sometimes oval (egg-shaped), 1~2.5 mm wide, the tip is often sharp-pointed, the margin is slightly retroflexed, the adult leaf is glabrous on both surfaces, or slightly villose along leaf veins.
Scape has soft hairs; 3 bracts, 2.8~3.4 cm long, base connate, tube is 5~6 mm long, lobes are linear or linear-lanceolate, 1~1.5 mm wide, outside is villous; flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, upright, pedicel is about 1.5 cm long, length is up to 15 cm in fruit phase; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, ovate-oblong or elliptic, 2.2~4.2 cm long, 1~1.3 cm wide, royal purple (bluish violet), the apex is slightly pointed or obtuse, outside is villous; flower petals are absent; many stamens, about half-length of sepals; many carpels.
Achenes are about 4 mm long, densely villous, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, about 3 cm long. Its flowering period is in May, and the fruiting period is in June.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg grows in grassland, mountain grass slope, or the edge of the forest. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in northern Hebei, Helen Mountain of Ningxia, and the western part of the northeast area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Characters of herbs: The roots are relatively thin, long cylindrical, have few branches; the bark and cortex do not fall off.
(3).Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is commonly known as Menggu Bai Tou Weng, or Bei Bai Tou Weng, Gao Shan Bai Tou Weng (means alpine pulsatilla). A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 16~22 cm high. The rhizome is thick, 5~8 mm in diameter. 6~8 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, the leaves are trifurcated; petiole is 3~10 cm long, sparsely piliferous; leaf blade outline is oval (egg-shaped), 2~3.2 cm long, 1.2~3.2 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrate, the under surface is villous, trifurcated, central divided lobes have slender stalks, trifurcated again, lobelets are 0.8~1.5 mm wide, with 1-2 serrates; lateral divided lobes are similar to central divided lobes, both have no stalks.
1~2 scapes, 16~22 cm high, sparsely covered with long pilose; 3 bracts, 1.5~2.8 cm long, base connate, hypanthium (flora tube) is about 2 mm long, lobes are lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, entire or with 1 lobe or 2-lobed, pubescent outside; flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, upright, pedicels are about 4 cm long, up to 16 cm long in fruit phase; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, oblong-ovate, 2.2~2.8 cm long, 8 mm wide, purple, apex is acutate, outside is densely covered with silky hairs; flower petals are absent; many stamens, as long as half of the sepals; carpels are many.
Achenes are about 2.5 mm long and covered with long pilose, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, about 2.5~3 cm long. Its flowering period is in July, and the fruiting period is from August to September.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz grows in alpine meadows, mountain slopes, sands, or forest edges, in areas at altitudes of 2,100-3,400 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in northern Gansu, northern Qinghai, Xinjiang, etc. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Characters of herbs: The root of Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz is thin and short, cylindrical, 5~8 mm in diameter, and has few branches.
(4).Pulsatilla dahurica(Fisch.ex DC.)Spreng.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.ex DC.) Spreng is also known as Anemone dahurica Fisch.ex DC, a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as XingAn Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 25~40 cm high. Rhizomes are 5~7 mm in diameter. 7~9 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, the leaves are trifurcated; petioles are 2.8~15 cm long, pubescent; leaf blade outline is oval (egg-shaped), 4.5~7.5 cm long, 3~6 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrate, sparsely pilose along veins on the undersurface, trifurcated or nearly pinnate, central divided lobes have a slender stalk, trifurcated again, lobes are parted, parted lobes are broadly linear or narrowly cuneate, entire or the upper part has 2~3 lobelets or dentate serrate; lateral divided lobes are sessile or subsessile, unequal 3-parted, parted lobes are entire or with several dentate serrates or 2~3 lobelets.
2~4 Scapes, pilose; 3 bracts, 4~5 cm long, base connate, hypanthium (flora tube) is 1.2~1.4 cm long, lobes are similar to basal leaf lobes, densely pilose outside; flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, nearly upright, pedicels are about 7.5 cm long, increase in fruit phase, densely pubescent; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, elliptic-ovate, purple, about 2 cm long, 0.5~1 cm wide, the apex is slightly obtuse, outside is densely covered with pubescence; flower petals are absent; many stamens; many carpels, pilose.
Achenes are about 3 mm long, densely pilose, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, 5~6 cm long. Its flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to July.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.ex DC.) Spreng grows in the grass on mountain slopes, in stony lands, glade and bushes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the northern area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Characters of herbs: The root of Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.ex DC.) Spreng is slender and cylindrical, up to 16 cm long, and 5~7 mm in diameter. There are a few rootlets.
(5).Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as "Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Berchtold & Presl", Anemone cernua Thunb., A.cernua Thunb.var.koreana Yabe ex Nakai., Pulsatilla koreana Nakai ex Mori. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 14~28 cm high. Rhizomes are 5~7 mm in diameter. 4~6 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, leaves are trifurcated; petioles are 4.5~14 cm long, densely pilose; leaf blade is oval (egg-shaped), 3~7.8 cm long, 4.4~6.5 cm wide, trifurcated, central divided lobes have slender petiole, trifurcated again, divided lobes are pinnately divided, distal or terminal lobes are lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 1.5~2.2 mm wide, entire or sparsely toothed; lateral divided lobes are sessile, pinnately parted, lobes have sparse teeth.
1~3 Scapes, piliferous; 3 bracts, 3~4.5 cm long, base connate, hypanthium (flora tube) is 0.8~1.2 cm long, lobes are linear or narrowly oblong, entire or upper part has 3 lobelets, densely pilose outside; flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, pedicels are 2.5~6 cm long, with woolly hairs, increase in fruit phase; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, oblong or ovate-oblong, 1.8~3 cm long, 6~12 mm wide, prunus (violet red), the apex is rounded or slightly obtuse, outside is densely pilose, inner surface is glabrate; petals are absent; many stamens, about half-length of sepals; many carpels, piliferous.
Achenes are about 3 mm long, pubescent, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, about 4 cm long. Its flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from May to June.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz grows in grassland on mountain slopes, or roadsides. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the northern area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Characters of herbs: The root is about 8 cm long, the upper part is 5~7 mm in diameter, and the lower part has a few rootlets, the outer surface is tawny (yellow brown).
(6).Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Bell-calyx Pulsatilla, or Zhong E Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 14~20 cm high. Rhizomes are 2.5~4 mm in diameter. 5~8 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, bipinnately or tripinnately compound leaf; petioles are 2.5~12 cm long, villous; leaf blade outline is oval or narrowly ovate, 2.8~6 cm long, 2~3.5 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrous, the undersurface is pubescent, 3 pairs pinnae, obliquely ovate, pinnately crack, terminal lobes are narrowly lanceolate or narrowly ovate, about 1 mm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed.
1~2 Scapes, upright, pilose; 3 bracts, about 1.8 cm long; base connate, hypanthium (flora tube) is about 2 mm long, bracts are 3-parted, parted lobes are narrowly lanceolate, not divided or with 3 lobelets, outside is covered with long pilose; flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary, slightly pendulous, pedicels are 2.5~4.5 cm long, up to 22 cm long in fruit phase; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, elliptic-ovate or oval (egg-shaped), 1.4~1.9 cm long, 8~9 mm wide, puce (purple brown), the apex is slightly revolute (outwardly curved), outside is covered with silky fluff; petals are absent; many stamens; many carpels, piliferous.
Achenes are about 4 mm long, with long pilose, plumelike persistent style grow on the top, 1.5~2.4 cm long. Its flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to July.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel grows in grassland on hillsides and mountain slopes, in areas at altitudes of 1,900~2,600 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the western area of Xinjiang, China. It is also distributed in the Central Asia area.
Characters of herbs: The root is thin, about 5 mm in diameter, and the rootlets are thin and long.
(7).Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Anemone pulsatilla L., or Ou Bai Tou Weng. A herbaceous perennial plant. It develops upright rhizomes, which function as a food-storage organ. Its leaves and stems are long, soft, silver-gray, and piliferous. It grows up to 15~30 cm high and up to 40 cm in the fruit phase. The roots go deep into the soil (to 1 meter depth). The finely-dissected leaves are arranged in a rosette and appear with the campanulate (bell-shaped) flower in early spring. The purple flowers are followed by distinctive silky seed heads that can persist on the plant for many months.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller grows in calcareous grassland, in sparsely wooded pine forests or meadows, often on a sunny sloping side with calcium-rich soil. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Europe.
Anemone pulsatilla is found not in woods, but in open situations. It grows wild in the dry soils of almost every Central and Northern country of Europe, but in England is rather a local plant, abounding on high chalk downs and limestone pastures, mostly in Yorkshire, Berkshire, Oxford, and Suffolk, but seldom found in other situations and other districts in this country. It is also known as Pasque Flower, Wind Flower, Meadow Anemone, Passé Flower, and Easter Flower.
The Pulsatilla, which is of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple, is obtained not only from the whole herb of Anemone pulsatilla (A. pulsatilla) but also from Anemone pratensis (A. pratensis), the Meadow Anemone, which is closely allied to the Pasque Flower, differing chiefly in having smaller flowers with deeper purple sepals, inflexed at the top. It grows in Denmark and Italy, but not in England. It is recommended for certain diseases of the eye, like Pulsatilla, and is used in homeopathy, but has been considered somewhat dangerous. The whole plant has a strong acrid taste but is eaten by both sheep and goats, though cows and horses will not touch it. The leaves when bruised and applied to the skin raise blisters. A. patens, var. Nutalliana is also used for the same purpose as A. pulsatilla.
In each case, the whole herb is collected, soon after flowering and should be carefully preserved when dried; it deteriorates if kept longer than one year.
(8).Pulsatilla pratensis L.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla pratensis L is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., Reniform leaf Pulsatilla, small pasque flower or Shen Ye Bai Tou Weng. A herbaceous perennial plant, the plant grows up to 40 cm high. Rhizomes are cylindrical and often branched at the top. 5 basal leaves grow at flowering, 8~16 cm long, long-handled; the leaf blades are reniform pentagons or nearly reniform, 2.5~4.5 cm long, 4.5~7 cm wide, the base is broadly cordate, middle lobes have short petioles (1~4 mm in diameter.), or subsessile, broadly rhombic, proximal to basal part, 1~2 lobules, apiculate, narrowly trigonous or triangular-lanceolate, 2~3.5 mm wide, all lobes are subsessile, nearly as large as central all-lobes, ranging from 2-parted, the surface is glabrous, abaxially white villous; petioles are 5.5~12 cm long, piliferous.
Scapes are upright, the same length as petiole; involucre is campanulate (bell-shaped), 3.5~4.5 cm long, densely villous, tube is 0.8~1.2 cm, lobes are narrowly linear, 0.5~1.2 mm wide; pedicels are villous, fruit is up to 27 cm; flowers are upright, sepals are royal purple (bluish violet), oblong-ovate, about 3 cm long, 1 cm wide, glabrous inside, outside is sparsely villous.
Aggregate fruit is about 5 cm in diameter; achenes are nearly fusiform, about 5 mm, pilose, persistent style is about 2.8~3 cm, adaxially spreading villous. The flowers are 2~3 cm long, pendulous, campanulate (bell-shaped), the tepals have reflexed tips; flower color varies from purple in the north of the species' range to greenish-violet in the south. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by bees; their flowering period is from early to mid-spring.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla pratensis L grows in grassland on mountain slopes, in areas at an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level, from near sea level in the north of the range, up to 2,100 meters in the south. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Xinjiang and the northern area of China. Also, it is widely distributed in Eastern Europe and northern Asia. This species was native to Central and Eastern Europe, from southeast Norway and western Denmark, south and east to Bulgaria.
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1.Introduction of Bai Tou Weng:Chinese Pulsatilla Root or Radix Pulsatillae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Chinese Pulsatilla Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source six plant species, ①.Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel., ②.Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg., ③.Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz., ④.Pulsatilla dahurica(Fisch.ex DC.)Spreng., ⑤.Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz., ⑥.Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel., and the botanical source of the herb Pulsatilla defined by the herbal classics of North America and Europe, two plant species, ⑦.Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller(syn. with Anemone pulsatilla L.), ⑧.Pulsatilla pratensis L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these eight plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these eight plant species, the features of the herb Chinese Pulsatilla Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Bái Tóu Wēnɡ.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel is also known as Anemone chinensis Bunge, is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and nemone genus, it is also known as Anemone chinensis Bunge, or Bai Tou Weng, Nai He Cao, Bai Tou Cao. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 15~35 cm high. The rhizome is thick, 8~15 mm in diameter. 4~5 basal leaves (radical leaves), grow out of the ground during flowering, leaves are 3-parted; petioles are 7~15 cm long, covered with dense pilose; leaf blade outline is broad-ovate, 4.5~14 cm long, 6.5~16 cm wide, the upper surface is covered with sparse hairs, fall off in late-stage and turn glabrous, the undersurface is densely covered with long pilose, trifurcated, central parted lobes has petiole or are subsessile, 3-parted, central parted lobes are cuneate-ovate, or narrowly cuneate, entire or dentate, lateral parted lobes are different in size, 2 lobed; lateral divided lobes are sessile or subsessile, different in size from 3-parted lobes.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel grows in plains and grassland on low hillsides and mountain slopes, forest edges, or dry rocky slopes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and other areas of China.
Ornamental value: there are more than 30 species of pulsatilla, flower is campaniform (bell-shaped), with white, purple, and blue colors, whole coat, very strange, the time from flowering to the maturity of capsularfruit is about a month and a half, the first flower viewing fruit. In summer and autumn, the leaves are green, but after the frost it turns to hibernation, as a wild-rooted plant, year planting for many years ornamental, to overcome the biennial herb flower high cost, easy to degenerate the shortcomings of varieties, can be planted in the gardens of forest gaps and shrubs, or in natural ways, because of its early flowering, short plants, is the ideal ground cover species, fruit is plumelike and style is persistent, capitate, very chic. It can also be used to enjoy flower beds or potted plants. Besides, Pulsatilla is very sensitive to acid rain. Pulsatilla died soon after acid rain fell. This characteristic of Pulsatilla not only makes it an indicator plant for detecting environmental pollution, but also increases its value as an ornamental flower.
Characters of herbs: The root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel is long cylindrical or conical, slightly curved, sometimes twisted and slightly flat, 5~20 cm long, and 0.5~2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish brown or tan (chocolate brown), with irregular vertical wrinkles or grooves, sometimes 2~3 branch roots are separated from the middle part, and the cortex is easy to fall off to expose the yellow xylem (wood part), and often decays into concave holes, showing the reticulated pattern of vertical protrusions; the root head is slightly enlarged, sometimes bifurcated, and several layers of sheath-like petiole base and young leaves remain at the top, with dense white long hairs. The texture of the herb is hard and brittle (crisp), the fracture surface is slightly flat, the cortex is yellow-white or yellowish-brown, sometimes there are gaps between the cortex and the xylem (wood part), and the xylem (wood part) is primrose yellow (pale yellow). The herb has a slight taste, and it tastes slightly bitter and puckery. The herb of a better grade has thick and long strips, and the texture of the herb is solid and firm.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and nemone genus, it is also known as Slim Leaf Pulsatilla, or Xi Ye Bai Tou Weng (means thin-leaf pulsatilla), or Xi Lie Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 15~25 cm high. 4~5 basal leaves, growing on the base and growing out of the ground in the flowering phase. Bipinnate or tripinnate pinnately compound leaves; petioles are 5~8 cm long, sometimes up to 14 cm long, sparsely covered with white pilose; leaf blade outline is narrowly elliptic or oval (egg-shaped), 7~8.5 cm long, 2.5~4 cm wide, pinnae are in 3~4 pairs, pinna on the lower part has a petiole, pinna on the upper part is sessile, the pinna is also known as pinniform cracking, lobes are linear-lanceolate or linear, sometimes oval (egg-shaped), 1~2.5 mm wide, the tip is often sharp-pointed, the margin is slightly retroflexed, the adult leaf is glabrous on both surfaces, or slightly villose along leaf veins.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla turczaninovii Kryl.et Serg grows in grassland, mountain grass slope, or the edge of the forest. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in northern Hebei, Helen Mountain of Ningxia, and the western part of the northeast area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is commonly known as Menggu Bai Tou Weng, or Bei Bai Tou Weng, Gao Shan Bai Tou Weng (means alpine pulsatilla). A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 16~22 cm high. The rhizome is thick, 5~8 mm in diameter. 6~8 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, the leaves are trifurcated; petiole is 3~10 cm long, sparsely piliferous; leaf blade outline is oval (egg-shaped), 2~3.2 cm long, 1.2~3.2 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrate, the under surface is villous, trifurcated, central divided lobes have slender stalks, trifurcated again, lobelets are 0.8~1.5 mm wide, with 1-2 serrates; lateral divided lobes are similar to central divided lobes, both have no stalks.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla ambigua Turcz.ex Pritz grows in alpine meadows, mountain slopes, sands, or forest edges, in areas at altitudes of 2,100-3,400 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in northern Gansu, northern Qinghai, Xinjiang, etc. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.ex DC.) Spreng is also known as Anemone dahurica Fisch.ex DC, a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as XingAn Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 25~40 cm high. Rhizomes are 5~7 mm in diameter. 7~9 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, the leaves are trifurcated; petioles are 2.8~15 cm long, pubescent; leaf blade outline is oval (egg-shaped), 4.5~7.5 cm long, 3~6 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrate, sparsely pilose along veins on the undersurface, trifurcated or nearly pinnate, central divided lobes have a slender stalk, trifurcated again, lobes are parted, parted lobes are broadly linear or narrowly cuneate, entire or the upper part has 2~3 lobelets or dentate serrate; lateral divided lobes are sessile or subsessile, unequal 3-parted, parted lobes are entire or with several dentate serrates or 2~3 lobelets.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.ex DC.) Spreng grows in the grass on mountain slopes, in stony lands, glade and bushes. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the northern area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as "Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Berchtold & Presl", Anemone cernua Thunb., A.cernua Thunb.var.koreana Yabe ex Nakai., Pulsatilla koreana Nakai ex Mori. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 14~28 cm high. Rhizomes are 5~7 mm in diameter. 4~6 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, leaves are trifurcated; petioles are 4.5~14 cm long, densely pilose; leaf blade is oval (egg-shaped), 3~7.8 cm long, 4.4~6.5 cm wide, trifurcated, central divided lobes have slender petiole, trifurcated again, divided lobes are pinnately divided, distal or terminal lobes are lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 1.5~2.2 mm wide, entire or sparsely toothed; lateral divided lobes are sessile, pinnately parted, lobes have sparse teeth.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht.et Opiz grows in grassland on mountain slopes, or roadsides. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the northern area of China. It is also distributed in Siberia.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Bell-calyx Pulsatilla, or Zhong E Bai Tou Weng. A perennial herb, the plant grows up to 14~20 cm high. Rhizomes are 2.5~4 mm in diameter. 5~8 basal leaves, grow out of the ground in the flowering phase, bipinnately or tripinnately compound leaf; petioles are 2.5~12 cm long, villous; leaf blade outline is oval or narrowly ovate, 2.8~6 cm long, 2~3.5 cm wide, the upper surface is glabrous, the undersurface is pubescent, 3 pairs pinnae, obliquely ovate, pinnately crack, terminal lobes are narrowly lanceolate or narrowly ovate, about 1 mm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla campanella Fisch.ex Regel grows in grassland on hillsides and mountain slopes, in areas at altitudes of 1,900~2,600 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the western area of Xinjiang, China. It is also distributed in the Central Asia area.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Anemone pulsatilla L., or Ou Bai Tou Weng. A herbaceous perennial plant. It develops upright rhizomes, which function as a food-storage organ. Its leaves and stems are long, soft, silver-gray, and piliferous. It grows up to 15~30 cm high and up to 40 cm in the fruit phase. The roots go deep into the soil (to 1 meter depth). The finely-dissected leaves are arranged in a rosette and appear with the campanulate (bell-shaped) flower in early spring. The purple flowers are followed by distinctive silky seed heads that can persist on the plant for many months.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla vulgaris Miller grows in calcareous grassland, in sparsely wooded pine forests or meadows, often on a sunny sloping side with calcium-rich soil. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Europe.
Botanical description: Pulsatilla pratensis L is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup, ranunculus, crowfoot family) and Anemone genus, it is also known as Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., Reniform leaf Pulsatilla, small pasque flower or Shen Ye Bai Tou Weng. A herbaceous perennial plant, the plant grows up to 40 cm high. Rhizomes are cylindrical and often branched at the top. 5 basal leaves grow at flowering, 8~16 cm long, long-handled; the leaf blades are reniform pentagons or nearly reniform, 2.5~4.5 cm long, 4.5~7 cm wide, the base is broadly cordate, middle lobes have short petioles (1~4 mm in diameter.), or subsessile, broadly rhombic, proximal to basal part, 1~2 lobules, apiculate, narrowly trigonous or triangular-lanceolate, 2~3.5 mm wide, all lobes are subsessile, nearly as large as central all-lobes, ranging from 2-parted, the surface is glabrous, abaxially white villous; petioles are 5.5~12 cm long, piliferous.
Ecological environment: Pulsatilla pratensis L grows in grassland on mountain slopes, in areas at an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level, from near sea level in the north of the range, up to 2,100 meters in the south. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Xinjiang and the northern area of China. Also, it is widely distributed in Eastern Europe and northern Asia. This species was native to Central and Eastern Europe, from southeast Norway and western Denmark, south and east to Bulgaria.
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