Introduction of Mǎn Shān Hónɡ: Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf
✵The article records the herb Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—the single plant species Rhododendron dauricum L.—with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species; the morphological characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Mǎn Shān Hónɡ
English Name: Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf
Latin Name:Folium Rhododendri Daurici Properties and Flavor: Warm; pungent and bitter
Brief Introduction:Folium Rhododendri Daurici is the dried leaf of Rhododendron dauricum L. (family Ericaceae). It is used as an antitussive and expectorant in the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis.
Botanical Source:Folium Rhododendri Daurici (Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf) is the dried leaf of Rhododendron dauricum L., a species of the genus Rhododendron L. in the family Ericaceae (heath family), order Ericales. It is also known as Folium Rhododendri Daurici or Mǎn Shān Hónɡ.
Classical herbal works define Folium Rhododendri Daurici (Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf) as the dried leaf of Rhododendron dauricum L. This is the sole commonly used species and is described below:
(1) Rhododendron dauricum L.
Botanical Description:Rhododendron dauricum L. is commonly known as Xīng’ān Dùjuān. It is a semi-evergreen shrub growing up to 1–2 meters tall. The bark is pale gray. Branches are numerous; branchlets are slender, curved, dark gray, scaly, and pilose. Buds are ovate, with broadly ovate scales. Leaves are alternate; petioles are 2–5 mm long and slightly piliferous; leaf blades are somewhat coriaceous, clustered on the upper parts of branchlets, elliptic or oblong-ovate, 1–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; apices are obtuse and mucronate; bases are cuneate; margins are entire; the upper surface is dark green with scattered white glandular scales; the lower surface is light green and densely covered with glandular scales. In winter, leaves roll into a tubular shape and emit an aromatic odor when crushed.
One to four flowers grow terminally, blooming before leaf emergence; corolla color is pink or violet-red (prunus); sepals are short and lobed, with densely scaly outer surfaces; the corolla is funnelform (~1.8 cm long), 5-lobed, and pilose on the outer surface; there are 10 stamens, exserted beyond the corolla; filaments are pilose at the base; the ovary is single, with walls densely covered in glandular scales; the style is longer than the petals and persistent.
The fruit is a capsule, oblong (~1.2 cm long), with an apical dehiscence. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting occurs from July to August.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on mountain ridges, hillsides, and in acidic soils beneath forest canopies.
Growth Characteristics: The shrub is highly adaptable but thrives best in acidic or neutral sandy loam or clay loam. Alkaline loam is unsuitable for cultivation.
Characteristics of the Herb: Most leaves are involute (tubular), while some are shriveled or fragmented. When flattened, intact leaves are oblong or long obovate, 2–7.5 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; apices are obtuse; bases are orbicular or broadly cuneate; margins are entire; the upper surface is dark green to brownish-green, sparsely dotted with light yellowish glandular scales; the lower surface is celadon (sage green), densely covered with glandular scales; primary veins are prominent on the lower surface; there are 4–6 pairs of lateral veins; petioles are 3–10 mm long; texture is nearly coriaceous. The herb has a distinctive fragrance and tastes slightly bitter and pungent. High-grade herb material consists of intact, dark green leaves.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Antitussive and antiasthmatic effects; (2) Anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic activity; (3) Antihypertensive and diuretic effects; (4) Analgesic activity.
Medicinal efficacy: Relieves cough and expels phlegm. Indicated for acute and chronic bronchitis and associated cough.
Administration of Folium Rhododendri Daurici (Mǎn Shān Hónɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Folium Rhododendri Daurici (Mǎn Shān Hónɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:25–50 grams of fresh herb, decocted in water; or 6–12 grams of dried herb, infused in 40% ethanol and taken orally; (2) Fresh herbs: 0.5–1 liǎng (≈15–30 grams), decocted in water; (3) Fresh herb: 15–30 g, decocted in water or infused in wine and taken orally.
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1.Introduction of Mǎn Shān Hónɡ: Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf
✵The article records the herb Dahurian Rhododendron Leaf, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—the single plant species Rhododendron dauricum L.—with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species; the morphological characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Mǎn Shān Hónɡ
Botanical Description: Rhododendron dauricum L. is commonly known as Xīng’ān Dùjuān. It is a semi-evergreen shrub growing up to 1–2 meters tall. The bark is pale gray. Branches are numerous; branchlets are slender, curved, dark gray, scaly, and pilose. Buds are ovate, with broadly ovate scales. Leaves are alternate; petioles are 2–5 mm long and slightly piliferous; leaf blades are somewhat coriaceous, clustered on the upper parts of branchlets, elliptic or oblong-ovate, 1–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; apices are obtuse and mucronate; bases are cuneate; margins are entire; the upper surface is dark green with scattered white glandular scales; the lower surface is light green and densely covered with glandular scales. In winter, leaves roll into a tubular shape and emit an aromatic odor when crushed.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on mountain ridges, hillsides, and in acidic soils beneath forest canopies.
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