The herb known as "Rudi Wugong" is also known as "Wugong Grass," "Shuiyu Wugong," "Daodi Wugong," "Wugong Cao," "Daogulin," "Diwugong," "Guoluwugong," and "Goulugong." It is the rhizome of the plant Seven-Finger Fern, which belongs to the family Polypodiaceae. It is commonly found near rivers, ditches, or in wetlands within forests. It has various effects such as clearing heat and phlegm, and neutralizing snake venom. It is usually harvested and prepared by washing, cutting into segments, drying, or using it fresh during the summer and autumn seasons.
【Morphological Characteristics】
The herb is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 30-50cm. Its rhizome is creeping and horizontally spread, with a purple-red outer layer and a white inner layer. It has numerous fleshy coarse roots (resembling a centipede, hence the name). The leaf stalk is 20-30cm long and brownish. The nutritive leaves are palmate and bird's foot-shaped, herbaceous, and hairless. They usually have three forks, each measuring 15-25cm in length and 20-25cm in width. Each fork consists of a terminal leaflet and 12 pairs of lateral leaflets. The basal leaflets have short stalks, the central leaflets are elliptical to lanceolate, with a pointed apex and a wedge-shaped base. The edges may have wavy small serrations or be nearly entire. The main veins are prominently raised, and the leaf veins are separated and bifurcated 1-2 times. The sporangia are solitary, emerging from the middle of the leaf base. The stalk is brownish, and the sporangia are greenish. The sporangia are arranged in a circular shape on the receptacle, with uneven cockscomb-like protrusions at the top.
【Medicinal Uses】
The herb has the effects of reducing heat and fatigue, clearing heat and phlegm, and relieving stasis and pain. It can be used to treat symptoms such as feverish cough, dysentery, internal injuries from falls, blood stasis pain, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, cough, asthma, injuries from falls, and snake bites.
【Expert Opinions】
(1) "Guangxi Medicinal Plants Illustrated": "Clears heat, transforms phlegm. Used to treat feverish cough and internal injuries from falls."
(2) "Guangxi Medicinal Plants Directory": "Stops cough, promotes the growth of new tissue, and relieves pain. Used to treat dysentery, pneumonia, and snake bites."
【Pictures of Rudi Wugong】
