Introduction of Ci Wu Jia: Thorny Acanthopanax Root
✵The article records the herb Thorny Acanthopanax Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms., and provides a detailed introduction to the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Cì Wǔ Jiā
English Name: Thorny Acanthopanax Root; Siberian Ginseng
Latin Name:Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi Properties and Flavors: Warm; pungent and slightly bitter.
Brief Introduction:Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi is the dried root and rhizome of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms. It replenishes Qi, strengthens the spleen, tonifies the kidney, and calms the spirit. It is used to treat general debility, anorexia, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, insomnia, and dream-disturbed sleep. Common names include Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi, Thorny Acanthopanax Root, Siberian Ginseng, and Cì Wǔ Jiā.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi (Thorny Acanthopanax Root) as the dried root, rhizome, root bark and stem leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms., a species of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family), genus Eleutherococcus (Acanthopanax Miq.), order Apiales. This widely used species is described below:
Botanical Description: Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms. is a deciduous shrub of the Araliaceae family and genus Eleutherococcus. It is taxonomically accepted as Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. and commonly known as Siberian Ginseng, Cì Wǔ Jiā, or simply Acanthopanax. Mature plants reach 1–2 m in height, occasionally up to 6 m. Stems bear dense, slender, and long anatropous prickles. Leaves are palmately compound and alternate; petioles measure 3.5–12 cm and bear small spinules or are nearly spineless; leaflets (usually 5, rarely 3 or 4); petiolules are 0.5–2 cm long, covered with brown pubescence; leaf blades are ellipsoid obovoid to oblong, 7–13 cm long and 2–6 cm wide; apex acuminate or acute; base is cuneate; upper surface is dark green, lower surface is pale green, with pale brown hairs along the veins; margin doubly serrate (biserrate) or serrate.
Inflorescences are terminal umbels, solitary or grouped in loose panicles of 2–4 umbels; peduncles reach up to 8 cm; pedicels (flower stalks) are 1–2 cm long; hypanthium (calyx tube) is green, fused to the ovary, with 5 calyx teeth; corolla has 5 oval, yellowish-purple petals; 5 stamens; ovary is 5-locular; style is thin and terete.
Fruits are drupes—berry-like, subglobose to ovoid, 5-angled, dark purple to black (atropurpureus), 7–8 mm in diameter; persistent style is 1.5–1.8 mm long. Flowering occurs from June to July; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: Acanthopanax senticosus grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests, forest margins, and open woodland, at elevations ranging from several hundred meters to 2,000 m above sea level.
Growth Characteristics: Acanthopanax senticosus prefers warm, humid climates, is cold-hardy, and tolerates partial shade. Cultivation requires sunny, well-drained sites with deep humus-rich soil and slightly acidic sandy loam. Its seeds exhibit morphophysiological dormancy: embryos require both morphological after-ripening (embryo growth) and physiological after-ripening (biochemical changes) before germination.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is nodular and irregularly cylindrical, 1.4–4.2 cm in diameter, and branched; surface grayish-brown (taupe brown), with longitudinal wrinkles; curved regions often show dense transverse wrinkles; lenticels are elongated, slightly protuberant, and light-colored.
The root is cylindrical, frequently contorted, 3.5–12 cm long and 0.3–1.5 cm in diameter; surface is grayish-brown to dark brown, coarse and rough, with prominent wrinkles; cortex is thin and sometimes exfoliating, revealing a yellowish-gray (sallow) underlying tissue. Texture is hard; fracture surface is yellowish-white and fibrous. The herb possesses a distinctive aromatic odor and tastes pungent, slightly bitter, and astringent.
The stem of Acanthopanax senticosus is long and cylindrical, highly branched, variable in length, with a diameter of 0.5–2 cm. The surface is light gray; older branches are taupe-brown, with vertical fissures and anacanthous features; younger branches are yellowish-brown, bearing dense spinules (small thorns). The stem texture is firm and hard, not easily broken; the cortex at the fracture surface is thin and yellowish-white; the xylem (wood portion) is broad and light yellow; and a pith is present centrally. The herb has a faint odor and tastes slightly pungent.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Effects on the central nervous system; (2) Enhancement of non-specific resistance; (3) Anti-aging effects; (4) Immunomodulatory effects; (5) Antimicrobial and antiviral effects: the alcoholic extract or aqueous decoction of Acanthopanax exhibits inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus albus; the alcoholic extract also shows certain antibacterial activity against Neisseriaceae and Escherichia coli, among others.
Medicinal Efficacy: Tonifies Qi and strengthens the Spleen; tonifies the Kidney and fortifies the lower back; calms the Shen (spirit) and alleviates restlessness; promotes blood circulation and unblocks the collaterals. It is indicated for: Spleen- and Lung-Qi deficiency; Spleen deficiency with lassitude (general weakness and lack of strength); generalized weakness and fatigue; Qi deficiency with edema; anorexia (loss of appetite); insomnia and vivid dreaming; forgetfulness; concurrent Heart- and Spleen-Qi deficiency; concurrent Lung- and Kidney-Qi deficiency; chronic cough and dyspnea due to deficiency; Kidney deficiency with low back and knee pain; soreness and weakness of the low back and knees; chest obstruction and pain; Kidney deficiency with general physical debility; delayed walking in infants; wind-cold-damp bi syndrome (arthralgia); and swelling and pain from traumatic injury.
Administration of Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi (Cì Wǔ Jiā):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosi (Cì Wǔ Jiā)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–27 grams; (2) Internally: Water decoction, 6–15 grams; or prepared as pills or powders; or infused in wine. External use: Apply an appropriate amount—either as finely powdered herb applied topically, or as fresh herb mashed and applied externally.
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1.Introduction of Ci Wu Jia: Thorny Acanthopanax Root
✵The article records the herb Thorny Acanthopanax Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms., and provides a detailed introduction to the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Cì Wǔ Jiā
Botanical Description: Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms. is a deciduous shrub of the Araliaceae family and genus Eleutherococcus. It is taxonomically accepted as Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. and commonly known as Siberian Ginseng, Cì Wǔ Jiā, or simply Acanthopanax. Mature plants reach 1–2 m in height, occasionally up to 6 m. Stems bear dense, slender, and long anatropous prickles. Leaves are palmately compound and alternate; petioles measure 3.5–12 cm and bear small spinules or are nearly spineless; leaflets (usually 5, rarely 3 or 4); petiolules are 0.5–2 cm long, covered with brown pubescence; leaf blades are ellipsoid obovoid to oblong, 7–13 cm long and 2–6 cm wide; apex acuminate or acute; base is cuneate; upper surface is dark green, lower surface is pale green, with pale brown hairs along the veins; margin doubly serrate (biserrate) or serrate.
Ecological Environment: Acanthopanax senticosus grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests, forest margins, and open woodland, at elevations ranging from several hundred meters to 2,000 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is nodular and irregularly cylindrical, 1.4–4.2 cm in diameter, and branched; surface grayish-brown (taupe brown), with longitudinal wrinkles; curved regions often show dense transverse wrinkles; lenticels are elongated, slightly protuberant, and light-colored.
The stem of Acanthopanax senticosus is long and cylindrical, highly branched, variable in length, with a diameter of 0.5–2 cm. The surface is light gray; older branches are taupe-brown, with vertical fissures and anacanthous features; younger branches are yellowish-brown, bearing dense spinules (small thorns). The stem texture is firm and hard, not easily broken; the cortex at the fracture surface is thin and yellowish-white; the xylem (wood portion) is broad and light yellow; and a pith is present centrally. The herb has a faint odor and tastes slightly pungent.
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