Introduction of Shēng Má: Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome
✵The article documents the herb Skunk Bugbane Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom., (2) Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., and (3) Cimicifuga foetida L. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Skunk Bugbane Rhizome; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shēng Má
English Name: Skunk Bugbane Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Cimicifugae Properties and Flavor: Slightly cold, slightly sweet, pungent
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Cimicifugae is the dried rhizome of Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom., Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., or Cimicifuga foetida L. It is used: (1) to promote eruption in measles; (2) to clear heat and counteract toxins in sore throat and stomatitis; and (3) to lift sunken viscera (restore the normal position) in cases of splanchnoptosis. It is commonly known as Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome, or Shēng Má.
Botanical Source:Rhizoma Cimicifugae is the dried rhizome of (1) Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar., (2) Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., or (3) Cimicifuga foetida L.—plants belonging to the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane), family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family), order Ranunculales. The three commonly used species are described below:
(1) Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar.
Botanical Description:Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar is commonly known as Da San Ye Sheng Ma or Big Triple-leaved Cimicifuga. It is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1 meter high or taller. The rhizome is rough and thick, with a black surface and numerous cave-shaped, sunken residues of old stems. Stems are erect and glabrous. Lower stem leaves are biternate compound leaves and glabrous; petioles reach up to 20 cm in length and are glabrous; terminal leaflets are obovate or obovate-elliptic, 6–12 cm long and 4–9 cm wide, with a 3-lobed apex, a rounded, cuneate (wedge-shaped), or slightly cordate base, and coarsely serrate margins; lateral leaflets are obliquely ovate, smaller than the terminal leaflets, and either glabrous or sparsely covered with white pilose along the veins on the abaxial surface; upper stem leaves are trifoliolate.
The compound raceme has 2–9 branches; inflorescences and pedicels bear grayish glandular hairs and pubescence; bracts are subulate, about 1 mm long; pedicels are 2–4 mm long; flowers are hermaphroditic; there are 5 petaloid sepals, yellowish-white, obovate or broadly elliptic, 3–4 mm long and 2.5–3 mm wide, and caducous; petals are absent; the staminode is elliptic, 2.5–4 mm long and 1.6–2 mm wide, with an entire apex; stamens are numerous, with filiform filaments 3–6 mm long; carpels number 3–5, are sessile or short-stalked, and glabrous. The follicle is oblong, 5–6 mm long and 3–4 mm wide; the carpopodium (fruit stalk) is about 1 mm long. Seeds are oval, approximately 3 mm long, and surrounded by membranous, squamous wings. Flowering occurs from August to September, and fruiting from September to October.
Growth Characteristics: The plant grows in mountainous wild grasslands, shrublands, and gullies.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb is also known as Guan Sheng Ma (Guan cohosh root). The rhizome of Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar is irregularly elongated and highly branched, often forming nodules, 5–22 cm long and 2–6 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish brown or yellowish brown and coarse; stem base marks are disc-shaped or groove-shaped, 1–3.5 cm in diameter and 0.5–2 cm high; the inner wall of the disc or groove exhibits reticulate venation; hard, fibrous root residues persist on the abaxial surface. The rhizome is light yet firm, not easily broken; the fracture surface is uneven and fibrous, with radial xylem veins colored yellow-brown or yellow-green, and a black-brown pith. The herb has a slight odor and a bitter taste.
(2) Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim.
Botanical Description:Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. is also known as Actaea dahurica Turcz. ex Fisch. et Mey. It is commonly called Xing An Sheng Ma or Dahurian Bugbane Rhizome. It is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1 meter tall. The rhizome is stout and mostly curved, with a black surface and numerous cave-shaped, sunken residues of old stems. The stem is erect, glabrous or slightly pubescent. Lower cauline leaves are biternate or triternate compound leaves; petioles reach up to 17 cm; terminal leaflets are broadly rhombic, 5–10 cm long and 3.5–9 cm wide, 3-lobed, with a slightly cordate or rounded base and irregularly serrate margins; lateral leaflets are oblong-ovate, slightly oblique, with irregularly serrate margins; the adaxial surface is glabrous, while the abaxial surface is sparsely pubescent along the veins; upper leaves resemble lower leaves but are smaller and short-petiolate.
The compound raceme bears unisexual (dioecious) flowers: male plants have large inflorescences up to 30 cm long with 7–20 branches, whereas female plants have slightly smaller inflorescences with fewer branches; the inflorescence axis and pedicels are covered with gray glandular hairs and pubescence; there are 5 petaloid sepals, white, broadly elliptic or broadly obovate, 3–3.5 mm long, and caducous; petals are absent; the staminode is bifid, with one empty anther at each apex; stamens are numerous, with filiform filaments 4–5 mm long and anthers about 1 mm long; carpels number 4–7, are sparsely gray-pubescent or subglabrous, and sessile or short-stalked.
Follicles are about 7–8 mm long and 4 mm wide, with appressed white pubescence at the apex; the carpopodium is 1–2 mm long. Seeds are elliptical, about 3 mm long, brown, and surrounded by membranous, squamous wings; a horizontal squamous wing is present centrally. Flowering occurs from July to August, and fruiting from August to September.
Growth Characteristics: The plant grows on hillsides and in shady habitats, at forest edges, in forests or on mountain slopes and grasslands, at elevations of 300–1,200 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb is also known as Bei Sheng Ma (North cohosh root). The rhizome of Cimicifuga dahurica is an irregularly elongated, highly branched structure often bearing nodules, 3–13 cm long and 1.5–2.4 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish black and coarse; stem base marks are rounded and cave-shaped, 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter and 1–3 cm tall; the inner wall of each cavity bears vertical or reticulate grooves; hard, fibrous root residues persist on the abaxial surface. The rhizome is light yet firm, not easily broken; the fracture surface is extremely uneven; the xylem is radially arranged, fibrous, yellow-green, and fissured; the pith is hollow and black. The herb has a slight odor and a bitter taste.
(3) Cimicifuga foetida L.
Botanical Description:Cimicifuga foetida L. is also known as Actaea cimicifuga L. It is commonly called Sheng Ma and is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1–2 meters tall. The rhizome is sturdy and solid, with a black surface and numerous invaginated, cave-shaped residues of old stems. The stem is erect; upper portions are branched and pubescent. Leaves are biternate or triternate pinnately compound; petioles reach up to 15 cm in length; terminal leaflets on lower stems bear long petioles, are rhombic, 7–10 cm long and 4–7 cm wide, usually 3-lobed, with serrate margins; lateral leaflets have short petioles or are sessile, obliquely ovate, slightly smaller than terminal leaflets, with serrate margins; the adaxial surface is glabrous; the abaxial surface bears sparse white pilose along the veins.
The compound raceme has 3–20 branches and may reach up to 45 cm in length; the lower branches extend up to 15 cm; the inflorescence axis is densely covered with gray or rusty glandular hairs and pubescence; bracts are subulate and shorter than the pedicels; flowers are hermaphroditic; there are 5 petaloid sepals, obovate-orbicular, white or greenish white, 3–4 mm long, and caducous; petals are absent; the staminode is broadly elliptic, approximately 3 mm long, with a slightly concave or 2-lobed apex; stamens are numerous, 4–7 mm long; carpels number 2–5, are densely covered with gray pubescence, and are sessile or very shortly stalked.
Follicles are oblong, 8–14 mm long and 2.5–5 mm wide, densely covered with appressed pubescence; the carpopodium (fruit stalk) is 2–3 mm long and bears a short rostrum (beak). Seeds are elliptical, brown, 2.5–3 mm long, and surrounded by membranous, squamous wings. Flowering occurs from July to September; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a warm, humid climate and commonly grows in forests, on grassy hillsides, at forest edges, and along roadsides, at elevations of 1,700–2,300 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb is also known as Sheng Ma (cohosh root) or Xi Sheng Ma (West cohosh root). The rhizome is an irregularly elongated, highly branched structure, 3–17 cm long and 1.7–4 cm in diameter. The surface is dark brown and extremely coarse; the upper surface bears several rounded, cavity-like stem bases, 0.8–2.5 cm in diameter and 1–2 cm tall; the inner wall of each cavity is coarse and shallow; numerous fibrous root residues persist on the abaxial surface. The rhizome is tough and tensile, not easily broken; the fracture surface is uneven; the xylem (wood tissue) is yellow-green and radially arranged; the pith (medulla) is slightly flattened, gray-green, and slightly mealy (powdery). The herb has a slight odor and a bitter taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Promotes diaphoresis and eruption of rashes; clears heat and detoxifies; elevates Yang Qi. It is primarily indicated for wind-heat headache, toothache, oral ulcers, sore throat, incomplete eruption of measles, Yang-toxin maculae, rectocele, and uterine prolapse.
Administration of Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shēng Má):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Shēng Má)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) water decoction, 0.5–3 qián (≈1.5–9grams), or prepared into pills or powder. Externally: apply finely ground herb powder as a paste; use the water decoction as a mouthwash or for drip washing. (3) For elevating Yang, use 3–6 g in water decoction—preferably honey-fried or wine-fried; for clearing heat and detoxification, up to 15 g may be used—preferably raw. Alternatively, prepare as pills or powder. Externally: use an appropriate amount—apply finely ground herb powder as a paste; use the water decoction as a mouthwash or for drip washing. To promote eruption and detoxify, use the processed (prepared) herb; to elevate Yang and reinforce Yang, use the raw herb.
Precautions: Overdosage may cause dizziness, tremors, limb spasms, etc.
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1.Introduction of Shēng Má: Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome
✵The article documents the herb Skunk Bugbane Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom., (2) Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., and (3) Cimicifuga foetida L. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Skunk Bugbane Rhizome; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shēng Má
Botanical Description: Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar is commonly known as Da San Ye Sheng Ma or Big Triple-leaved Cimicifuga. It is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1 meter high or taller. The rhizome is rough and thick, with a black surface and numerous cave-shaped, sunken residues of old stems. Stems are erect and glabrous. Lower stem leaves are biternate compound leaves and glabrous; petioles reach up to 20 cm in length and are glabrous; terminal leaflets are obovate or obovate-elliptic, 6–12 cm long and 4–9 cm wide, with a 3-lobed apex, a rounded, cuneate (wedge-shaped), or slightly cordate base, and coarsely serrate margins; lateral leaflets are obliquely ovate, smaller than the terminal leaflets, and either glabrous or sparsely covered with white pilose along the veins on the abaxial surface; upper stem leaves are trifoliolate.
Botanical Description: Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. is also known as Actaea dahurica Turcz. ex Fisch. et Mey. It is commonly called Xing An Sheng Ma or Dahurian Bugbane Rhizome. It is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1 meter tall. The rhizome is stout and mostly curved, with a black surface and numerous cave-shaped, sunken residues of old stems. The stem is erect, glabrous or slightly pubescent. Lower cauline leaves are biternate or triternate compound leaves; petioles reach up to 17 cm; terminal leaflets are broadly rhombic, 5–10 cm long and 3.5–9 cm wide, 3-lobed, with a slightly cordate or rounded base and irregularly serrate margins; lateral leaflets are oblong-ovate, slightly oblique, with irregularly serrate margins; the adaxial surface is glabrous, while the abaxial surface is sparsely pubescent along the veins; upper leaves resemble lower leaves but are smaller and short-petiolate.
Botanical Description: Cimicifuga foetida L. is also known as Actaea cimicifuga L. It is commonly called Sheng Ma and is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family, crowfoot family, or ranunculus family) and the genus Actaea (baneberry or bugbane). The plant grows up to 1–2 meters tall. The rhizome is sturdy and solid, with a black surface and numerous invaginated, cave-shaped residues of old stems. The stem is erect; upper portions are branched and pubescent. Leaves are biternate or triternate pinnately compound; petioles reach up to 15 cm in length; terminal leaflets on lower stems bear long petioles, are rhombic, 7–10 cm long and 4–7 cm wide, usually 3-lobed, with serrate margins; lateral leaflets have short petioles or are sessile, obliquely ovate, slightly smaller than terminal leaflets, with serrate margins; the adaxial surface is glabrous; the abaxial surface bears sparse white pilose along the veins.
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