Red-haired Acanthopanax Bark, also known as Five-Claw Thorn, Thorn Bark, and Shu Wujia. It is the stem bark or root bark of Acanthopanax giraldii Harms, a plant belonging to the Acanthopanax family. It is harvested in June to July, and the stem and branches are beaten with a wooden stick to separate the wood from the bark. The stem bark is then peeled off and dried in the sun. The roots can be harvested throughout the year, washed, peeled, and dried.
[Processing method] Take the original medicinal material, remove impurities, scrape off the thorns, soak, cut into thin slices, and dry in the shade.
[Appearance of prepared slices] Irregular hollow circular thin slices. The outer surface is yellow or yellow-brown with traces of thorns, and the inner surface is yellow-green or light brown and smooth. The cross-section is fibrous. It is lightweight, brittle, and easily breaks. It has a slight aroma and a mild taste.
[Processing function] Red-haired Acanthopanax Bark has a pungent and slightly bitter taste, and is warm in nature. It belongs to the liver and kidney meridians. It has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, strengthening tendons and bones, and promoting blood circulation and diuresis. It is mostly used in the treatment of wind-cold dampness, spasms and acute pain, weakness of tendons and bones, weakness of the feet and knees, abdominal pain, hernia, bruises and injuries, and edema due to deficiency. Processing makes the medicinal material clean and facilitates the extraction of ingredients.
