Zhuye Shen is also known as Zhuye Qi, White Hair Qi, and Zhujie Shen. It is harvested in summer and autumn and has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, and promoting blood circulation and relieving muscle tension.
Zhuye Shen image
Zhuye Shen plant morphology
Zhuye Shen is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. It has short rhizomes and clusters of numerous fibrous roots. The stems are slender and branched.
The leaves are alternate with short petioles; the leaf blades are thin, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, measuring 5-10 cm in length and 1.5-3 cm in width. The apex is short-pointed or gradually pointed, the base is round, and there are obvious parallel veins. The leaf stalks are short.
The umbel inflorescence is terminal or opposite to the leaves, with 2-40 flowers. The inflorescence stalk is short, with one bract similar to the leaves at the top;
The flowers are pendulous, white or pale purple, bell-shaped, about 1.5-2 cm long, with 6 tepals and a spur at the base; there are 6 stamens hidden inside;
The ovary is trilocular and elongated; the style is slender with a 3-lobed stigma. The fruit is spherical and black. There are 2-3 seeds. The flowering period is in summer.
Zhuye Shen image
Methods for selecting high-quality Zhuye Shen
The dried rhizomes are flattened cylindrical, curved, 5-10 mm long, and approximately 5 mm in diameter, with numerous fine roots at the bottom.
The roots are cylindrical, slightly twisted, 4-10 mm long, and 1-2 mm in diameter; the surface is yellow-brown with fine longitudinal lines.
The texture is hard and crispy, with a yellow-white color in the cortex and a light brown color in the wood. It has a mild aroma and a slightly spicy taste. The best quality is characterized by thick roots and a yellow-brown color.
Indications of Zhuye Shen
It can dispel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension, clear heat and phlegm, and stop coughing.
It is mainly used for rheumatism, joint and back pain, bruises, fractures, weakness, bone steaming and hot flashes, pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis, lung heat with cough, and burns.
1. "Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": Nourishes yin, supplements deficiency, dispels wind and dampness, and relieves pain. It is used for weakness, bone steaming and hot flashes, pulmonary tuberculosis, palpitations and shortness of breath, rheumatic back and leg pain, and sciatica.
2. "Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine": Promotes bone healing, stops bleeding, reduces inflammation, and relieves pain, dispels wind and removes dampness.
3. "Jiangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": Dispels wind, clears heat, and promotes blood circulation and muscle relaxation.
