Introduction of Xiang Fu: Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome
✵The article records the herb Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—the single plant species Cyperus rotundus L.—with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment; the morphological characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Rhizoma Cyperi (Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome)
Pinyin Name: Xiāng Fù
English Name: Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Cyperi Property and Flavor: Neutral; pungent, slightly bitter, sweet
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Cyperi is the dried tuber of Cyperus rotundus L., used to soothe Liver-Qi, regulate menstruation, and alleviate pain in the treatment of chest and abdominal distension with pain, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea. It is commonly known as Rhizoma Cyperi, Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome, or Xiāng Fù.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Rhizoma Cyperi (Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome) as the dried tuber of Cyperus rotundus L. It belongs to the genus Cyperus L., family Cyperaceae (sedge family), order Poales (formerly in order Cyperales). This widely used species is described below:
(1) Cyperus rotundus L.
Botanical Description:Cyperus rotundus L. is a perennial herb of the Cyperaceae family (sedge family) and genus Cyperus. It is commonly known as nutgrass, purple nutsedge, Shā Cǎo, or Suō Cǎo. Plants grow up to 15–95 cm tall. Stems are erect and trigonous. Rhizomes are procumbent and elongated, with fusiform (spindle-shaped) swellings; multiple rhizomes may be interconnected. Leaf sheaths are closed and amplexicaul (stem-clasping); leaves are basal, tufted, linear, 20–60 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, with acute apices, entire margins, parallel venation, and a prominent midvein.
Inflorescences are compound umbels, typically 3–6 arranged in an umbel-like cluster at the stem apex; each inflorescence bears 3–10 spikelets—linear, 1–3 cm long and ~1.5 mm wide. Glumes are arranged in two rows, densely packed, ovate to oblong, ~3 mm long, membranaceous, purplish-red on both sides, and veined. At the base are 2–4 leafy involucral bracts (phyllaries), equaling or exceeding the inflorescence in length. Each glume subtends one flower; stamens three; styles three, filiform.
Achenes (nutlets) are oblong-obovate and trigonous, with fine surface reticulations. Flowering period: May–August; fruiting period: July–November.
Ecological Environment:Cyperus rotundus L. grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, cultivated fields, moist areas near roadsides, water bodies, ditches, and sunny fields. It is among the world’s most invasive weeds and notoriously difficult to eradicate. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Growth Characteristics:Cyperus rotundus L. prefers warm, humid climates and moist soils; it exhibits moderate cold tolerance. Sandy loam soils with good drainage are optimal for cultivation.
Characteristics of the Herb: Rhizomes are predominantly fusiform (spindle-shaped), sometimes slightly curved, 2–3.5 cm long and 0.5–1 cm in diameter. Surface color ranges from tan (chocolate brown) to dark brown, bearing irregular longitudinal wrinkles and 6–10 conspicuous, slightly raised annular nodes. Dark brown hairs and fibrous root scars occur at the nodes. After removal of hairs, surfaces become smooth and exhibit fine, dense longitudinal ridges. Texture is firm and hard. Fracture surface is corneous and yellowish-brown to reddish-brown after steaming; sun-dried rhizomes fracture is powdery and off-white, with prominent endodermal rings and a dark stele containing scattered punctate vascular bundles. Odor is aromatic; taste is slightly bitter.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) inhibits smooth muscle contraction in the uterus and ileum of experimental animals in vitro; (2) anti-inflammatory; (3) analgesic; (4) antipyretic.
Medicinal efficacy: Regulating Qi and dispelling melancholy, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, preventing miscarriage. It is indicated for liver Qi stagnation, Qi stagnation with discomfort, liver-stomach disharmony, epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, distending pain in the hypochondrium, chest, and abdomen, chest stuffiness and congestion, phlegm and retained fluid with chest and abdominal stuffiness, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, cold hernia with abdominal pain, breast distension and pain, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, postmenstrual abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, pathological leukorrhea, threatened abortion, and hernia pain (colic), etc.
Administration of Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiānɡ Fù):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiānɡ Fù)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1.5–3 qian (approximately 4.5–9 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; external use: finely ground herb powder applied topically—sprinkled, pasted, or made into a cake and heated for moxibustion-like application; (3) Alternatively, water decoction, 1.5–6 grams; higher doses may reach 15–30 grams; also prepared as pills or powder.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Rhizoma Cyperi is contraindicated in cases of advanced menstruation due to blood heat.
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1.Introduction of Xiang Fu: Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome
✵The article records the herb Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—the single plant species Cyperus rotundus L.—with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment; the morphological characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Xiāng Fù
Botanical Description: Cyperus rotundus L. is a perennial herb of the Cyperaceae family (sedge family) and genus Cyperus. It is commonly known as nutgrass, purple nutsedge, Shā Cǎo, or Suō Cǎo. Plants grow up to 15–95 cm tall. Stems are erect and trigonous. Rhizomes are procumbent and elongated, with fusiform (spindle-shaped) swellings; multiple rhizomes may be interconnected. Leaf sheaths are closed and amplexicaul (stem-clasping); leaves are basal, tufted, linear, 20–60 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, with acute apices, entire margins, parallel venation, and a prominent midvein.
Inflorescences are compound umbels, typically 3–6 arranged in an umbel-like cluster at the stem apex; each inflorescence bears 3–10 spikelets—linear, 1–3 cm long and ~1.5 mm wide. Glumes are arranged in two rows, densely packed, ovate to oblong, ~3 mm long, membranaceous, purplish-red on both sides, and veined. At the base are 2–4 leafy involucral bracts (phyllaries), equaling or exceeding the inflorescence in length. Each glume subtends one flower; stamens three; styles three, filiform.
Ecological Environment: Cyperus rotundus L. grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, cultivated fields, moist areas near roadsides, water bodies, ditches, and sunny fields. It is among the world’s most invasive weeds and notoriously difficult to eradicate. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Characteristics of the Herb: Rhizomes are predominantly fusiform (spindle-shaped), sometimes slightly curved, 2–3.5 cm long and 0.5–1 cm in diameter. Surface color ranges from tan (chocolate brown) to dark brown, bearing irregular longitudinal wrinkles and 6–10 conspicuous, slightly raised annular nodes. Dark brown hairs and fibrous root scars occur at the nodes. After removal of hairs, surfaces become smooth and exhibit fine, dense longitudinal ridges. Texture is firm and hard. Fracture surface is corneous and yellowish-brown to reddish-brown after steaming; sun-dried rhizomes fracture is powdery and off-white, with prominent endodermal rings and a dark stele containing scattered punctate vascular bundles. Odor is aromatic; taste is slightly bitter.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) inhibits smooth muscle contraction in the uterus and ileum of experimental animals in vitro; (2) anti-inflammatory; (3) analgesic; (4) antipyretic.
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