✵This article documents the herb Cibot Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, the single plant species (1) Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm.—and provides a detailed description of its botanical characteristics, growth habits, ecological habitat, macroscopic features, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines
Rhizoma Cibotii (Cibot Rhizome)
Pinyin Name: Gǒu Jǐ
English Name: Cibot Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Cibotii Properties and Flavor: Warm in nature; bitter and sweet in taste.
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Cibotii is the dried rhizome of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm., used clinically to tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen the lower back and knees, and dispel wind-dampness. It is indicated for kidney deficiency–related conditions such as enuresis, leukorrhea, lumbago, knee soreness, rheumatic low back pain, and lumbar muscle strain. Commonly known as Rhizoma Cibotii, Cibot Rhizome, or Gǒu Jǐ.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Rhizoma Cibotii (Cibot Rhizome) as the dried rhizome of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm., a species belonging to the genus Cibotium, family Dicksoniaceae (tree fern family), order Cyatheales. The following describes this commonly used species:
(1) Cibotum barometz (L.) J. Smith.
Botanical Description:Cibotum barometz (L.) J. Smith., formerly known as Polypodium barometz L., is commonly called Jīn Máo Gǒu, Jīn Máo Gǒu Jǐ, or Máo Quǎn ("hairy dog"). It is a large, native fern reaching 2–3 meters in height. Rhizomes are amphitropous (decumbent), thick and stout, 4–8 cm in diameter, densely covered with golden, nodular, long, pilose (hairy) scales that are glossy and resemble the head of a golden-haired dog.
Fronds are clustered; petioles are 1–1.2 m long (not cm), with a base 2–3 cm in diameter; the ventral surface bears shallow grooves, and the lower portion is brownish-purple. Leaf blades are coriaceous to thick chartaceous (papery), broadly ovate, 1–1.4 m long and 80–110 cm wide, tripinnatipartite. Pinnae occur in 10–15 pairs, alternate, petiolate, narrowly oblong, 50–60 cm long and 20–25 cm wide. Pinnules occur in 18–24 pairs, alternate, short-stipitate, linear-lanceolate, 13–15 cm long and 2–3 cm wide. Terminal lobes occur in 23–25 pairs, alternate, narrowly oblong or slightly falcate, 1–1.8 cm long and 3–5 mm wide; margins are crenate, sparsely covered with yellow, long, pilose hairs in seedlings—these hairs gradually abscise with maturity. Venation is pinnate; lateral veins are bifurcated.
Sori are marginal, located on the lower part of the lobes, grow at the tips of veinlets; indusia are bivalvate, clamshell-shaped, and oblong.
Ecological Environment: This species grows at mountain bases, hill foothills, ditch margins, and damp forest floors in acidic soils, native to tropical and subtropical regions.
Growth Characteristics:Cibotium barometz prefers warm, moist, shaded environments and is cold-sensitive. It requires protection from direct sunlight. Optimal air humidity is 70–80%; the ideal growth temperature is 16–22 °C (60.8–71.6 °F). Although soil requirements are not stringent, it thrives best in rich, well-drained, acidic soil.
Characteristics of the Herb: Rhizomes are irregular, elongated masses, 10–30 cm long and 2–10 cm in diameter. The surface is dark brown and densely covered with bright golden pubescence. Several reddish-brown petiole remnants occur on the upper portion, and numerous brownish-black, fine roots (radicels) arise from the lower portion. The texture is firm and hard, difficult to fracture. The herb is odorless and slightly astringent in taste. High-grade herb material is hypertrophic, solid, non-hollow, and evenly covered with golden pubescence.
Raw Slices: Irregular strips or longitudinal round slices, 5–20 cm long, 2–8 cm wide, and 1.5–5 mm thick; edges are uneven; surface is dark brown, occasionally retaining unremoved golden pubescence; fracture surface is light brown, with a prominent, raised, brownish-yellow xylem ring or striations located 2–5 mm inward from the outer cortex. Texture is hard and brittle, easily fractured.
Prepared Slices: Fully processed slices appear blackish-brown; the xylem (wood) ring pattern is conspicuous.
High-grade herb slices are uniform in thickness, dense and compact, glabrous, and non-hollow.
Medicinal Efficacy: Expelling wind-damp, tonifying liver and kidney, strengthen waist and knees, strengthen waist and feet, easing joint movement. It is indicated for rheumatic arthralgia pain, dampness cold general arthralgia, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, soreness and aching of the waist and back, the pain of knees and flaccidity of lower limbs, lower limbs weakness (feebleness of legs and feet, or lack of strength), feebleness and weakness of feet and knees, lumbago and back rigidity of kidney deficiency (low back pain and stiffness of spine due to kidney deficiency), anischuria (enuresis, bedwetting), frequent urination, spermatorrhea (seminal emission), leukorrhea, leukorrhagia, etc.
Administration of Rhizoma Cibotii (Gǒu Jǐ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Rhizoma Cibotii (Gǒu Jǐ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:6~12 grams; (2) Internally:water decoction, 1.5~3 qian (about 4.5~9 grams); prepare an ointment, or prepare to pill. Externally:wash with water decoction; (3) Internally:water decoction, 10~15 grams; or infusing in wine. Externally:proper amount, fresh herb mashed and apply stick.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:The herb Rhizoma Cibotii should not be used with Patrinia scaniosaefolia.
✵This article documents the herb Cibot Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, the single plant species (1) Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm.—and provides a detailed description of its botanical characteristics, growth habits, ecological habitat, macroscopic features, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines
Pinyin Name: Gǒu Jǐ
Botanical Description: Cibotum barometz (L.) J. Smith., formerly known as Polypodium barometz L., is commonly called Jīn Máo Gǒu, Jīn Máo Gǒu Jǐ, or Máo Quǎn ("hairy dog"). It is a large, native fern reaching 2–3 meters in height. Rhizomes are amphitropous (decumbent), thick and stout, 4–8 cm in diameter, densely covered with golden, nodular, long, pilose (hairy) scales that are glossy and resemble the head of a golden-haired dog.
Ecological Environment: This species grows at mountain bases, hill foothills, ditch margins, and damp forest floors in acidic soils, native to tropical and subtropical regions.
Characteristics of the Herb: Rhizomes are irregular, elongated masses, 10–30 cm long and 2–10 cm in diameter. The surface is dark brown and densely covered with bright golden pubescence. Several reddish-brown petiole remnants occur on the upper portion, and numerous brownish-black, fine roots (radicels) arise from the lower portion. The texture is firm and hard, difficult to fracture. The herb is odorless and slightly astringent in taste. High-grade herb material is hypertrophic, solid, non-hollow, and evenly covered with golden pubescence.
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