Introduction of Yu Zhu: Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome
✵The article records the herb Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—a single plant species: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yù Zhú
English Name: Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati Properties and Flavor: Neutral in nature; sweet and slightly bitter in taste.
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is the steamed and dried rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, used to nourish Yin and generate body fluids, primarily for treating dry throat, dry cough, and thirst in febrile diseases and diabetes mellitus. It is commonly known as Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome, or Yù Zhú.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal works and authoritative pharmacopoeias define Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati (Yu Zhu) as the dried rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, a plant of the Asparagaceae family (formerly classified under Liliaceae), genus Polygonatum. This widely used species is described below:
(1) Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce.
Botanical Description:Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is a perennial herb belonging to the Asparagaceae family and genus Polygonatum. Synonyms include Polygonatum officinale All. and Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce var. pluriflorum (Miq.) Ohwi. It is commonly known as Fragrant Solomonseal or Yù Zhú. The rhizomes are amphitropous and succulent, yellowish-white, and bear numerous fibrous roots. The stem is solitary, erect, 20–60 cm tall. Leaves are alternate and sessile; leaf blades are elliptic to ovate-oblong, 5–12 cm long and 2–3 cm wide; apex is acute, base is cuneate; upper surface is green, lower surface is grayish-white; veins are prominent, surface is smooth or papillate.
Flowers are axillary, usually 1–3 per cluster; peduncles are 1–1.5 cm long; ebracteate or bearing linear-lanceolate bracts. The perianth is tubular, 13–20 mm long, yellowish-green to white, with a 6-lobed apex; lobes are ovoid, ~3 mm long, often green-tinged. Six stamens are inserted at the middle of the perianth tube; filaments are threadlike, nearly smooth to papillate. Ovary is 3–4 mm long; style is 10–14 mm long. Berries are globose, 7–10 mm in diameter, turning blue-black at maturity. Flowering occurs from April to June; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment:Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce grows in forests, shaded and moist habitats on hillsides or mountain slopes, and thrives in cool, humid, well-drained wild forests or shrublands at altitudes of 500–3,000 m. It is native to China and widely distributed across temperate regions of Asia and Europe.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a warm, humid climate and tolerates cold. It can be cultivated in both mountainous and lowland areas. Optimal cultivation sites have deep, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam soil. Heavy clay soils with poor drainage should be avoided. Continuous cropping is not recommended.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is cylindrical and slightly flattened, occasionally branched, 4–18 cm (sometimes 10–20 cm) long, with a diameter of 0.7–2 cm (or 0.3–1.6 cm). Nodes and internodes are distinct; internode length ranges from 1–15 mm. Circular, disc-shaped stem scars (0.5–1 cm in diameter) occur at the middle or terminal portions; residual scale leaves and scattered fibrous root scars may be visible. Surface color varies from yellowish-white to khaki, bearing fine longitudinal wrinkles. Texture is pliable and tough; when dry, it may become brittle and fracture easily. Fracture surface is yellowish-white and granular, with scattered vascular bundle spots visible. Odor is faint; taste is sweet and mucilaginous.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Mild hypotensive activity; (2) Cardiotonic effect; (3) Inhibition of blood glucose elevation; (4) Improvement of glucose tolerance; (5) Vasodilatory effect; etc.
Medicinal Efficacy: Nourishes Yin to moisten dryness; nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs (i.e., replenishes vital essence to nourish the lungs); calms restlessness; nourishes the stomach to promote body fluid production; stimulates salivation and alleviates thirst. It is indicated for: Yin deficiency of the lung and stomach; Yin injury in febrile diseases; Irritative dry cough (cough due to dryness); Cough due to dry-heat; Exhaustion-induced cough; Cough with polydipsia; Dry throat and thirst; Dry throat and thirst secondary to Yin injury in febrile diseases; Yin deficiency complicated by exogenous pathogenic factors; Dizziness and vertigo; Deficient fever (i.e., low-grade fever in chronic debilitating conditions); Internal heat with wasting thirst (consumptive thirst); Polyphagia (excessive hunger); Frequent urination; Cramping pain of muscles and tendons; etc.
Administration of Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati (Yù Zhú):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati (Yù Zhú)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–12 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 2–3 qian (≈6–9 grams); or prepared as an ointment or pill/powder; (3) Internally: water decoction, 6–12 grams; or prepared as an ointment, wine infusion, or pill/powder. External use: Apply an appropriate amount—either crush fresh herb and apply topically, or prepare as an ointment for topical application. Raw herb is preferred for Yin deficiency with heat; processed (steamed/dried) herb is preferred when fever is mild.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati should not be prepared or administered with salted brine.
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1.Introduction of Yu Zhu: Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome
✵The article records the herb Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—a single plant species: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yù Zhú
Botanical Description: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is a perennial herb belonging to the Asparagaceae family and genus Polygonatum. Synonyms include Polygonatum officinale All. and Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce var. pluriflorum (Miq.) Ohwi. It is commonly known as Fragrant Solomonseal or Yù Zhú. The rhizomes are amphitropous and succulent, yellowish-white, and bear numerous fibrous roots. The stem is solitary, erect, 20–60 cm tall. Leaves are alternate and sessile; leaf blades are elliptic to ovate-oblong, 5–12 cm long and 2–3 cm wide; apex is acute, base is cuneate; upper surface is green, lower surface is grayish-white; veins are prominent, surface is smooth or papillate.
Flowers are axillary, usually 1–3 per cluster; peduncles are 1–1.5 cm long; ebracteate or bearing linear-lanceolate bracts. The perianth is tubular, 13–20 mm long, yellowish-green to white, with a 6-lobed apex; lobes are ovoid, ~3 mm long, often green-tinged. Six stamens are inserted at the middle of the perianth tube; filaments are threadlike, nearly smooth to papillate. Ovary is 3–4 mm long; style is 10–14 mm long. Berries are globose, 7–10 mm in diameter, turning blue-black at maturity. Flowering occurs from April to June; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce grows in forests, shaded and moist habitats on hillsides or mountain slopes, and thrives in cool, humid, well-drained wild forests or shrublands at altitudes of 500–3,000 m. It is native to China and widely distributed across temperate regions of Asia and Europe.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is cylindrical and slightly flattened, occasionally branched, 4–18 cm (sometimes 10–20 cm) long, with a diameter of 0.7–2 cm (or 0.3–1.6 cm). Nodes and internodes are distinct; internode length ranges from 1–15 mm. Circular, disc-shaped stem scars (0.5–1 cm in diameter) occur at the middle or terminal portions; residual scale leaves and scattered fibrous root scars may be visible. Surface color varies from yellowish-white to khaki, bearing fine longitudinal wrinkles. Texture is pliable and tough; when dry, it may become brittle and fracture easily. Fracture surface is yellowish-white and granular, with scattered vascular bundle spots visible. Odor is faint; taste is sweet and mucilaginous.
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