✵The article documents the herb Himalayan Teasel Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its botanical source—namely, one plant species: (1) Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et T.M.Ai., and a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Dipsaci (Himalayan Teasel Root)
Pinyin Name: Xù Duàn
English Name: Himalayan Teasel Root
Latin Name:Radix Dipsaci Properties and Flavors: Slightly warm in nature; pungent and bitter in taste.
Brief Introduction:Radix Dipsaci is the dried root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai. It is used (1) to tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen tendons and bones—indicated for soreness and pain in the lower back and joints, and rheumatic lumbar pain; (2) to promote fracture healing; and (3) to arrest bleeding and stabilize pregnancy—used for functional uterine bleeding and threatened abortion. The herb is commonly known as Radix Dipsaci, Himalayan Teasel Root, or Xù Duàn.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal texts define Radix Dipsaci (Himalayan Teasel Root) as the dried root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Dipsacus, family Dipsacaceae, order Dipsacales (formerly in order Rubiales). This is the primary species used medicinally and is described below:
(1) Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai.
Botanical Description: Also known as Dipsacus asper Wall. ex Henry, and commonly called Chuān Xù Duàn, this is a perennial herb reaching 60–90 cm (or up to 200 cm) in height. Roots are cylindrical or long-conical, solitary or clustered, with distinct taproots or several fused roots; the bark is tawny and slightly succulent, bearing sparse, thin, elongated lateral roots. The stem is erect, much-branched, with 6–8 ridges and shallow longitudinal grooves; the ridges bear bristles. Basal leaves are sparse and tufted, with long petioles; leaf blades are lyrate-pinnate, 15–25 cm long and 5–20 cm wide; lateral lobes occur in 3–4 pairs, with the central pair largest and progressively smaller toward the base; lateral lobes are obovate or spatulate—the largest lobe measuring 4–9 cm long and 3–4.5 cm wide; the upper surface is pubescent, while the lower surface bears bristles. Cauline leaves on the middle and lower stem are pinnately divided; central lobes are lanceolate, up to 11 cm long and 5 cm wide, acuminate at the apex, coarsely serrated, with 2–4 pairs of lateral lobes that are lanceolate or oblong and smaller; petioles are long at the base but gradually shorten upward. Upper stem leaves are lanceolate, entire or 3-lobed at the base.
Inflorescences are capitate and globose, 2–3 cm in diameter; peduncles reach up to 55 cm in length; 5–7 phyllaries are inserted at the base of the inflorescence—leaf-like, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 1–4.5 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, hirsute. Bracteoles (bractlets) are obovate-cuneate, 7–11 mm long and 4–5 mm wide at the broadest point; the apex is slightly truncate, pubescent, with a short clavate tip (~2–3 mm long); each bractlet bears two shallow grooves on either side, is 4-lobed at the apex, with sharply pointed lobe tips and irregular fine fissures between lobes. The calyx is 4-ridged, utensil-shaped, ~1 mm long, indehiscent or 4-lobed to deeply 4-parted; the exterior is covered with short hairs, longer at the apex. Corolla is pale yellowish-white; the corolla tube is narrow-funnelform, 9–11 mm long, with the basal 1/4–1/3 constricted into a slender tube; the apex is 4-lobed; lobes are obovate, one slightly larger; the exterior is pubescent. There are 4 stamens, inserted on the upper part of the corolla tube and distinctly exserted beyond the corolla; filaments are flattened; anthers are purple and elliptic. Styles are shorter than the stamens; the stigma is short-clavate; the ovary is inferior and enclosed within the involucel (involucellum).
Achenes are long-cylindrical, ~4 mm long, with only the apex protruding beyond the involucel. Flowering occurs from August to September; fruiting from September to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows wild on hillsides and mountain slopes, and in fertile grasslands. It is predominantly distributed in China.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a cool, moist climate and exhibits cold tolerance but is sensitive to high temperatures. Cultivation should be carried out in fields with deep, fertile, and well-drained loamy soil. Growth is poor—and disease incidence high—in arid areas or in soils with heavy, viscous clay and poor drainage. When summer temperatures exceed 35 °C (95 °F), stems and cauline leaves wilt, become pendulous, cease growth, and are highly susceptible to drought stress. In excessively rainy or humid conditions, the underground parts are prone to fungal infection and rot. The optimal temperature range for seed germination is 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); germination is significantly inhibited at 30 °C (86 °F). Typically, each inflorescence produces 2–4 seeds; occasionally, up to 7–8 seeds may develop.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is long-cylindrical and slightly flattened, sometimes gently curved, measuring 5–15 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in diameter. The surface is tan (chocolate brown), taupe (grayish-brown), or yellowish-brown, bearing numerous conspicuous, tortuous longitudinal wrinkles and grooves; elongated lenticels and scattered fibrous root scars are visible. The texture is moderately soft when fresh but hardens upon prolonged storage; it is brittle and fractures unevenly. The fracture surface shows an olive-green (greenish-brown) or hazel (pale brown) cortex, with a brown or light brown outer edge and a yellowish-brown xylem (wood portion) often exhibiting radial striations. The herb has a mild aromatic odor and a taste that is initially bitter and slightly sweet, followed by astringency.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Inhibitory effect against Diplococcus pneumoniae; (2) Amelioration of vitamin E deficiency; (3) Hemostatic effect; (4) Anti-apoptotic effect; (5) Promotion of tissue regeneration.
Medicinal Efficacy: Tonifies the liver and kidneys; strengthens tendons and bones; promotes fracture healing; regulates blood circulation; and arrests uterine bleeding. It is indicated for: liver-kidney deficiency; soreness and pain in the lumbar region and back; weakness and soreness of the waist and knees; rheumatic arthralgia; flaccidity and weakness of the lower limbs; hemiplegia or limb paresthesia; uterine bleeding; threatened abortion; pathological leukorrhea; spermatorrhea; traumatic injuries; tendon and muscle injuries; fractures; incised (e.g., surgical or metal-inflicted) wounds; and anal fistula. The wine-processed herb is primarily used for rheumatic arthralgia, traumatic injury, and tendon-muscle-fracture disorders. The salt-processed herb is mainly indicated for soreness and weakness of the waist and knees.
Administration of Radix Dipsaci (Xù Duàn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Dipsaci (Xù Duàn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–15 grams per day, typically as a water decoction; (2) Internally: water decoction, 2–4 qián (≈6–12 grams), or formulated into pills or powders; external use: fresh or dried herb, mashed and applied topically; (3) Internally: water decoction, 6–15 grams; or prepared as pills or powders; external use: appropriate amount of fresh herb, mashed and applied topically.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Dipsaci is contraindicated with Omphalia lapidescens (Lei Wan).
✵The article documents the herb Himalayan Teasel Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its botanical source—namely, one plant species: (1) Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et T.M.Ai., and a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Xù Duàn
Botanical Description: Also known as Dipsacus asper Wall. ex Henry, and commonly called Chuān Xù Duàn, this is a perennial herb reaching 60–90 cm (or up to 200 cm) in height. Roots are cylindrical or long-conical, solitary or clustered, with distinct taproots or several fused roots; the bark is tawny and slightly succulent, bearing sparse, thin, elongated lateral roots. The stem is erect, much-branched, with 6–8 ridges and shallow longitudinal grooves; the ridges bear bristles. Basal leaves are sparse and tufted, with long petioles; leaf blades are lyrate-pinnate, 15–25 cm long and 5–20 cm wide; lateral lobes occur in 3–4 pairs, with the central pair largest and progressively smaller toward the base; lateral lobes are obovate or spatulate—the largest lobe measuring 4–9 cm long and 3–4.5 cm wide; the upper surface is pubescent, while the lower surface bears bristles. Cauline leaves on the middle and lower stem are pinnately divided; central lobes are lanceolate, up to 11 cm long and 5 cm wide, acuminate at the apex, coarsely serrated, with 2–4 pairs of lateral lobes that are lanceolate or oblong and smaller; petioles are long at the base but gradually shorten upward. Upper stem leaves are lanceolate, entire or 3-lobed at the base.
Inflorescences are capitate and globose, 2–3 cm in diameter; peduncles reach up to 55 cm in length; 5–7 phyllaries are inserted at the base of the inflorescence—leaf-like, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 1–4.5 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, hirsute. Bracteoles (bractlets) are obovate-cuneate, 7–11 mm long and 4–5 mm wide at the broadest point; the apex is slightly truncate, pubescent, with a short clavate tip (~2–3 mm long); each bractlet bears two shallow grooves on either side, is 4-lobed at the apex, with sharply pointed lobe tips and irregular fine fissures between lobes. The calyx is 4-ridged, utensil-shaped, ~1 mm long, indehiscent or 4-lobed to deeply 4-parted; the exterior is covered with short hairs, longer at the apex. Corolla is pale yellowish-white; the corolla tube is narrow-funnelform, 9–11 mm long, with the basal 1/4–1/3 constricted into a slender tube; the apex is 4-lobed; lobes are obovate, one slightly larger; the exterior is pubescent. There are 4 stamens, inserted on the upper part of the corolla tube and distinctly exserted beyond the corolla; filaments are flattened; anthers are purple and elliptic. Styles are shorter than the stamens; the stigma is short-clavate; the ovary is inferior and enclosed within the involucel (involucellum).
Ecological Environment: The plant grows wild on hillsides and mountain slopes, and in fertile grasslands. It is predominantly distributed in China.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a cool, moist climate and exhibits cold tolerance but is sensitive to high temperatures. Cultivation should be carried out in fields with deep, fertile, and well-drained loamy soil. Growth is poor—and disease incidence high—in arid areas or in soils with heavy, viscous clay and poor drainage. When summer temperatures exceed 35 °C (95 °F), stems and cauline leaves wilt, become pendulous, cease growth, and are highly susceptible to drought stress. In excessively rainy or humid conditions, the underground parts are prone to fungal infection and rot. The optimal temperature range for seed germination is 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); germination is significantly inhibited at 30 °C (86 °F). Typically, each inflorescence produces 2–4 seeds; occasionally, up to 7–8 seeds may develop.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is long-cylindrical and slightly flattened, sometimes gently curved, measuring 5–15 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in diameter. The surface is tan (chocolate brown), taupe (grayish-brown), or yellowish-brown, bearing numerous conspicuous, tortuous longitudinal wrinkles and grooves; elongated lenticels and scattered fibrous root scars are visible. The texture is moderately soft when fresh but hardens upon prolonged storage; it is brittle and fractures unevenly. The fracture surface shows an olive-green (greenish-brown) or hazel (pale brown) cortex, with a brown or light brown outer edge and a yellowish-brown xylem (wood portion) often exhibiting radial striations. The herb has a mild aromatic odor and a taste that is initially bitter and slightly sweet, followed by astringency.
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