Introduction of San Ke Zhen:Barberry Root or Radix Berberidis.
✵The article gives records of the herb Barberry Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source five plant species, ①.Berberis poiretii Schneid., ②.Berberis sargentiana Schneid., ③.Berberis veitchii Schneid, ④.Berberis soulieana Schneid., ⑤.Berberis vernae Schneid., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these five plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these five plant species, the features of the herb Barberry Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Radix Berberidis(Barberry Root).
Pin Yin Name: Sān Kē Zhēn.
English Name: Barberry Root.
Latin Name: Radix Berberidis.
Property and flavor: cold, bitter.
Brief introduction: The Herb Radix Berberidis is the dried root of Berberis soulieana Schneid, Berberis wilsonae Hemsl., Berberis poiretii Schneid. Or Berberis vernae Schneid., used a similar way to golden thread. It is commonly known as Barberry Root, Root of Chinese Barberry, Sān Kē Zhēn.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Radix Berberidis (Barberry Root) as the dry root, stem, cortex or tree bark of the Berberis Linn. Genus, the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and the Ranales order plant species (1). Berberis poiretii Schneid., or (2). Berberis sargentiana Schneid., or (3). Berberis veithii Schneid, or (4). Berberis soulieana Schneid., or (5). Berberis vernae Schneid. These 5 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Berberis poiretii Schneid.
Botanical description: Berberis poiretii Schneid. is commonly known as Xi Ye Xiao Bo, Thin-leaf Berberis, or Zhen Que. A deciduous shrub, the plant grows up to 1~2 meters tall. Old branches are taupe (dust-color), glossy, young branches are puce (purple brown), densely grow black verrucous protrusions, spines are short and small, usually simple, spines at the lower end of old or main branch sometimes are 3-branched, 4~9 mm long. Leaves are tufted, sessile, and papery; Leaf blade is narrow-oblanceolate or lanceolate-cochleariform, 1.5~4 cm long, 5~10 mm wide, the apex is sharply pointed, the base is cuneate, entire-edge, the upper surface is emerald green (bright green), the undersurface is pea green (pale green) or celadon (grayish-green), pinnately veined. Racemes are pendulous, 3~6 cm long, with 6~20 flowers; 6 sepals, petal-shaped, arranged in 2 whorls, oblong or obovate.
Flowers are yellow, with reddish on the outside, 6 mm in diameter, 6 petals, obovate, slightly shorter than sepals; 6 stamens, about 1.5 mm long; Ovary is cylindrical, containing 2 ovules, style is absent, stigma is capitate and flattened.
The berry is oblong, about 9 mm long, and red when mature. The seed is obovate, the seed surface is smooth, and atropurpureus (purple black). Its flowering period is from May to June, the fruiting period is from July to August.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows on sunny sandy hills, hillsides or mountain slopes, roadsides, or streams facing the sun. It is mainly distributed in the north, and northwest areas, and the lower reaches of the Yellow River, in China.
Characters of herbs: The root of Berberis poiretii Schneid is cylindrical, branched, and slightly twisted, 0.3~1.2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-brown, and coarse, with longitudinal wrinkles and rootlet marks, and part of the bark is scaly and rolled outward or peeled off. The texture of the herb is hard and firm, the fracture surface is fibrous; the cortex of the cross-section is narrow, yellow-brown, and the woody part is canary-yellow (bright yellow). The herb has no smell and tastes bitter. The herb of better grade is yellow and with a strong bitter taste.
Pharmacological actions: ①.antihypertensive effect; ②.antibacterial effect; ③.increase the white blood cells; ④.anti-arrhythmia, etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Clear heat, drying dampness, discharge fire and detoxify. It is indicated for damp heat dysentery, diarrhea, jaundice, eczema, ulcers and sores, canker sores, red eyes, sore throat, etc.
Administration of Radix Berberidis (Sān Kē Zhēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Berberidis (Sān Kē Zhēn)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:9~15 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 0.5~1 liang (about 15~30 grams, fresh herb 2~4 liang, about 60~120 grams), or prepare to powder, infusing in wine.Externally:prepare to ground herb powder and apply; ③.Internally:water decoction, 0.5~30 grams, or infusing in wine,Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder and apply stick.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Radix Berberidis should be used cautiously in conditions deficiency cold of spleen and stomach.
(2).Berberis sargentiana Schneid.
Botanical description: Berberis sargentiana Schneid. is commonly known as Ci Hei Zhu, or Thorn Black-Pearl, Huang Jing Ci (means thorn of Solomon's seal), or Hei Shi Zhu (means black stone bead). Evergreen shrubs, the plant grows up to 1~3 meters tall. Stem is cylindrical, internodes are 3~6 cm long, young branches are reddish, old branches are yellow-gray or tan (chocolate brown), sometimes with sparse and distinct wart points. The plant is prickly and thorns are firm and hard, 3-branched, 1~3 cm long. Simple leaves are alternate, or 3 leaves grow in cluster; subsessile; Leaves are corious; Leaf blade is oblong-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, 4~10 cm long, 1~3 cm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed, with small spines, the base is cuneate, the upper surface is dark green, the under surface is pea green (pale green) or flavovirens (yellow-green), the margin is with 15~25 spiny small serrates, the serrate pitch is 2.5~4 mm, leaf veins are reticulated and dense.
Flowers 3~10 and grow in clusters, pedicels are 1~2 cm long; Bracteoles are lanceolate; Sepals 6, oblong or oval (egg-shaped); Flowers are primrose yellow (pale yellow), about 1 cm in diameter, petals 6, the apex is slightly concave, the base is with 2 nectary glands; 6 stamens, about 4.5 mm long, opposite to flower petals; Ovary is cylindrical, with 2~3 ovules, stigma is capitate and flattened.
Berry is oval (egg-shaped) to globular shape, picine (blue-black), 6~7 mm long, 4~6 mm in diameter, stigma is persistent, style is absent, no pollination or slightly with pollen. Its flowering period is from April to May, the fruiting period is from June to July.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows in sunny hillsides and mountain slopes, wastelands, roadsides, and mountain bushes, in areas with an altitude of 1,000~2,000 meters above sea level. It is mainly distributed in the middle reaches area of the Yangtze River, the southwest area, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The root of Berberis sargentiana Schneid is cylindrical, slightly twisted, and branched, 0.3~0.7 cm in diameter. The surface is taupe brown (gray-brown), with longitudinal wrinkles and rootlet marks, and the grayish-yellow wood part is exposed at the area where the cortex is peeled off. The texture of the herb is hard, the fracture surface is fibrous; the cortex of the cross-sectional is thin and brown, and the wood part is yellow. The herb has no smell and tastes bitter. The herb of better grade is yellow and with a strong bitter taste.
(3).Berberis veitchii Schneid.
Botanical description: Berberis veitchii Schneid is commonly known as Lan Guo Xiao Bo or Blue-Berry Berberis. Deciduous shrubs. The young branch is reddish, the old branch is primrose yellow (pale yellow), with small wart points; thorns are 3-branched, thick, 1.5~3.5 cm long. Leaves are lanceolate, 5~11 cm long, 1~2 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the margin has 10~24 thorn serrates, the upper surface is dark green, and the under surface is pale green, glossy.
2~10 flowers grow in clusters; Pedicels are 1.6~3.5 cm long; Bracteoles are oval (egg-shaped), 2 mm long; External sepal is oblong-ovate, slightly reddish-brown, the middle sepals and inner sepals are obovate; Petals are obovate, the apex is rounded and obtuse, the base has claws; Stamens are 4 mm long; Ovary has 4~5 ovules.
The berry is ovoid to elliptic, covered with bluish powder, without persistent style.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows in mountain bushes, it is distributed in the middle reaches of the Yangtze river, and southwest areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The root of Berberis veitchii Schneid is cylindrical, obviously twisted, and branched, 0.15~0.6 cm in diameter. The surface is brown, with obvious longitudinal wrinkles and rootlet marks. The texture of the root is hard, the fracture surface is fibrous, the cortex is narrow and brown, and the wood part is canary-yellow (bright yellow). The herb has no smell, it tastes bitter. The herb of better grade is yellow and with a strong bitter taste.
(4).Berberis soulieana Schneid.
Botanical description: Berberis soulieana Schneid. is commonly known as Mao Ci Xiao Bo (means Cat-Thorn Berberis), or Jia Hao Zhu Ci, Ni Hao Zhu Ci (means false porcupine quill). Evergreen shrubs, the plant grows up to 2 meters high. Stem is upright, much-branched, young branches are primrose yellow (pale yellow), with a few wart dots, spiny, trifurcated, 1~2.5 cm long. Leaves grow in a cluster and are corious; the leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate, rarely oblong-obovate, 3~6 cm long, 6~9 mm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed, the base is quickly narrowing and form an extremely short stalk, the upper surface is green, glossy, the undersurface is flavovirens (yellow-green), the margin has 5~18 spine serrates, 1.5~2.5 mm long, serrate pitch is 3~7 mm, lateral veins are almost perpendicular to the middle veins, veinlets are not conspicuous.
8~20 flowers grow in a cluster, pedicels are 5~15 mm long, 2 bracteoles, ovate-oblong, about 2 mm long; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls; Flowers are yellow, 6 petals, ovate to obovate; 6 stamens, separated; Ovary is elliptic, containing 2~3 seeds, rarely 3, persistent style is 0.5 mm long.
Berry is an elliptical shape, red when mature, and covered with white powder. Its flowering period is from March to April, the fruiting period is from August to October.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, roadsides, and forest margins, in areas at an altitude of 600~2,000 meters above sea level. It is mainly distributed in the northwest, the upper and middle reaches area of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The root of Berberis soulieana Schneid is cylindrical, slightly twisted, with a few branches, 10~15 cm long and 1~3 cm in diameter. The root head (root apex) is thick and big, and tapering downward. The out bark is taupe brown (grayish brown), with fine wrinkles, and easy to peel off. The texture of the herb is firm and hard, not easy to break, the fracture surface is uneven, and canary-yellow (bright yellow). The slices are orbicular or oblong, with a slightly radial texture, and the pith is brown. The herb has a slight smell, and it tastes bitter. The herb of better grade is yellow and with a strong bitter taste.
(5).Berberis vernae Schneid.
Botanical description: Berberis vernae Schneid is commonly known as Shi Ye Xiao Bo, or Teaspoon-Leaf Berberis. Deciduous shrubs, the plant grows up to 0.5~1.5 meters tall. Branches are thin, with a ridge, young branches gradually turn prunosus (violet red) in late stage, and old branches are dark gray, scattered with black wart points. Spines are usually unbranched, firm and hard, 1~3 cm long. Leaves 3-8 and grow in a cluster; Often spoon-shaped or spatulate oblanceolate, 1~5 cm long, 0.3~1 cm wide, apex is almost sharp-pointed, sometimes with a small pointed tip, the base is narrowing into a petiole, usually entire-edge, sparsely with a few fine serrate.
Simple racemes, 2~4 cm long, flowers grow densely, 15~35 flowers, pedicels are 1.5~4 mm long; Bracts are oblong, slightly shorter or as long as pedicels. Bracteoles are usually red, about 1 mm long; petals 6, oval (egg-shaped) or obovate; Flowers are yellow, 3~4 mm in diameter, flower petals are ellipsoid obovoid, the apex is slightly sharp-pointed, base with 2 nectary glands; 6 stamens, about 1.5 mm long; Ovary contains 1~2 ovules.
Berry is globular shape, faint red and purplish, covered with powder, 3.5~4.5 mm in length and diameter, stigma is persistent, style is absent. Its flowering period is from May to June, the fruiting period is from August to September.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows in riverbanks, gobi desert, or bushes on hillsides and mountain slopes, in areas at an altitude of 300~800 meters above sea level. It is distributed in the northwest, mainly in the western end of the Qinling mountains to southern and western Gansu, eastern Qinghai, Xinjiang, and other areas of China.
Characters of herbs: The root of Berberis vernae Schneid has similar features as the root of Berberis soulieana Schneid. The herb of better grade is yellow and with a strong bitter taste.
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References:
1.Introduction of San Ke Zhen:Barberry Root or Radix Berberidis.
✵The article gives records of the herb Barberry Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source five plant species, ①.Berberis poiretii Schneid., ②.Berberis sargentiana Schneid., ③.Berberis veitchii Schneid, ④.Berberis soulieana Schneid., ⑤.Berberis vernae Schneid., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these five plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these five plant species, the features of the herb Barberry Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Sān Kē Zhēn.
Botanical description: Berberis poiretii Schneid. is commonly known as Xi Ye Xiao Bo, Thin-leaf Berberis, or Zhen Que. A deciduous shrub, the plant grows up to 1~2 meters tall. Old branches are taupe (dust-color), glossy, young branches are puce (purple brown), densely grow black verrucous protrusions, spines are short and small, usually simple, spines at the lower end of old or main branch sometimes are 3-branched, 4~9 mm long. Leaves are tufted, sessile, and papery; Leaf blade is narrow-oblanceolate or lanceolate-cochleariform, 1.5~4 cm long, 5~10 mm wide, the apex is sharply pointed, the base is cuneate, entire-edge, the upper surface is emerald green (bright green), the undersurface is pea green (pale green) or celadon (grayish-green), pinnately veined. Racemes are pendulous, 3~6 cm long, with 6~20 flowers; 6 sepals, petal-shaped, arranged in 2 whorls, oblong or obovate.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows on sunny sandy hills, hillsides or mountain slopes, roadsides, or streams facing the sun. It is mainly distributed in the north, and northwest areas, and the lower reaches of the Yellow River, in China.
Botanical description: Berberis sargentiana Schneid. is commonly known as Ci Hei Zhu, or Thorn Black-Pearl, Huang Jing Ci (means thorn of Solomon's seal), or Hei Shi Zhu (means black stone bead). Evergreen shrubs, the plant grows up to 1~3 meters tall. Stem is cylindrical, internodes are 3~6 cm long, young branches are reddish, old branches are yellow-gray or tan (chocolate brown), sometimes with sparse and distinct wart points. The plant is prickly and thorns are firm and hard, 3-branched, 1~3 cm long. Simple leaves are alternate, or 3 leaves grow in cluster; subsessile; Leaves are corious; Leaf blade is oblong-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, 4~10 cm long, 1~3 cm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed, with small spines, the base is cuneate, the upper surface is dark green, the under surface is pea green (pale green) or flavovirens (yellow-green), the margin is with 15~25 spiny small serrates, the serrate pitch is 2.5~4 mm, leaf veins are reticulated and dense.
Ecological environment: The shrub grows in sunny hillsides and mountain slopes, wastelands, roadsides, and mountain bushes, in areas with an altitude of 1,000~2,000 meters above sea level. It is mainly distributed in the middle reaches area of the Yangtze River, the southwest area, and other areas of China.
Botanical description: Berberis veitchii Schneid is commonly known as Lan Guo Xiao Bo or Blue-Berry Berberis. Deciduous shrubs. The young branch is reddish, the old branch is primrose yellow (pale yellow), with small wart points; thorns are 3-branched, thick, 1.5~3.5 cm long. Leaves are lanceolate, 5~11 cm long, 1~2 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the margin has 10~24 thorn serrates, the upper surface is dark green, and the under surface is pale green, glossy.
Botanical description: Berberis soulieana Schneid. is commonly known as Mao Ci Xiao Bo (means Cat-Thorn Berberis), or Jia Hao Zhu Ci, Ni Hao Zhu Ci (means false porcupine quill). Evergreen shrubs, the plant grows up to 2 meters high. Stem is upright, much-branched, young branches are primrose yellow (pale yellow), with a few wart dots, spiny, trifurcated, 1~2.5 cm long. Leaves grow in a cluster and are corious; the leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate, rarely oblong-obovate, 3~6 cm long, 6~9 mm wide, the apex is sharp-pointed, the base is quickly narrowing and form an extremely short stalk, the upper surface is green, glossy, the undersurface is flavovirens (yellow-green), the margin has 5~18 spine serrates, 1.5~2.5 mm long, serrate pitch is 3~7 mm, lateral veins are almost perpendicular to the middle veins, veinlets are not conspicuous.
8~20 flowers grow in a cluster, pedicels are 5~15 mm long, 2 bracteoles, ovate-oblong, about 2 mm long; 6 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls; Flowers are yellow, 6 petals, ovate to obovate; 6 stamens, separated; Ovary is elliptic, containing 2~3 seeds, rarely 3, persistent style is 0.5 mm long.
Botanical description: Berberis vernae Schneid is commonly known as Shi Ye Xiao Bo, or Teaspoon-Leaf Berberis. Deciduous shrubs, the plant grows up to 0.5~1.5 meters tall. Branches are thin, with a ridge, young branches gradually turn prunosus (violet red) in late stage, and old branches are dark gray, scattered with black wart points. Spines are usually unbranched, firm and hard, 1~3 cm long. Leaves 3-8 and grow in a cluster; Often spoon-shaped or spatulate oblanceolate, 1~5 cm long, 0.3~1 cm wide, apex is almost sharp-pointed, sometimes with a small pointed tip, the base is narrowing into a petiole, usually entire-edge, sparsely with a few fine serrate.
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