The Chinese herbal medicine "Female Withered" refers to the stem of the Ranunculaceae plant, Withered Lady's Mantle. Its roots, stems, or whole plant can be used as medicine to treat edema in pregnant women and bone and joint pain. In many reference materials, it is recorded that Female Withered is actually Yu Zhu (Solomon's Seal Rhizome), but is this really the case?
"Female Withered" means "following and accompanying like a woman", and it has nothing to do with Yu Zhu. It is actually a wild "Clematis", with thin stems that climb and twine, three leaves on one stem, and the leaves and stems are soft and slender, truly graceful and flexible.
Female Withered flowers bloom in July, and can still be seen on the mountain until the Double Ninth Festival. The white flowers are clustered together, with flower buds and four "petals", only one cluster of stamens. Each flower blooms in succession, adding a touch of coolness to the summer mountain.
Like other Clematis plants, the four "petals" of the Female Withered flower are actually sepals, and they will fall off shortly after the flower opens.
The fruit that forms after the flower looks like small spindles, slightly pointed at both ends, slightly yellow-green, covered in hairs. One end even has a cluster of fluffy white braids, which is the style left behind after the flower withers.
Medicinal identification: The medicinal herb is cylindrical in shape, slightly flattened, with branches, 5-18cm long, and 0.3-1.8cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white or pale yellow-brown, translucent, with longitudinal wrinkles, obvious nodes, slightly raised segments, white dot-like root marks, and disc-shaped stem marks. It is hard and brittle, softens when moist, easily breaks, and the cross-section is horny or granular. It has a slight aroma, sweet taste, and becomes sticky when chewed.
Identification of medicinal slices: The medicinal slices are irregular thick pieces or segments. The outer surface is yellowish-white to pale yellow-brown, glossy, and semi-transparent. Segments can be seen on the medicinal slices. The cross-section of the medicinal slices is horny or granular. It has a slight aroma, sweet taste, and slight bitterness. It becomes sticky when chewed.
Precautions for use: The dosage of Female Withered should not be too large when taken orally, otherwise it may cause stomach discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, chest tightness, weakness in limbs, or facial swelling.
Treatment for chronic diarrhea and prolapse: Take one sheng (approx. 500g) of Female Withered, burn and fumigate it. (from "Prescriptions for Lactation")
Treatment for bone and joint pain: Take five qian (approx. 15g) of Female Withered vine, five qian of Clematis armandii vine, three qian of roadside thorn, and two qian of old hook vine. Boil in water and take orally. (from "Hunan Materia Medica")
