Introduction to Dahuangdu
Dahuangdu is the Chinese name for the root of the plant Euphorbia nematocypha Hand.-Mazz. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is primarily found in Yunnan province. It is known for its ability to promote blood circulation, stop bleeding, and relieve itching. It is commonly used for traumatic bleeding, bruises and swelling, scrofula, and skin diseases like scabies and ringworm.
Chinese name: Dahuangdu
Other names: Gezhi nuo, Wu tu, Wu hu xia xi shan
Division: Angiosperms
Subclass: Rosidae
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subgenus: Chamaesyce subgenus
Scientific name: Euphorbia jolkinii Boiss.
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Euphorbiales
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: Euphorbia nematocypha
Chinese name: Langdu - Dahuangdu
Category: Root
English name: Gigantic Euphorbia Root
Other names: Gezhi nuo, Wu tu, Wu hu xia xi shan, Ai hong
Source: The root of the plant Euphorbia nematocypha Hand.-Mazz.
Processing: The roots are harvested in autumn or winter, cleaned of soil, soaked in rice water for 3 days, then soaked in lime water for another 3 days. After that, they are boiled in a pot for 2 hours, sliced, and dried in the sun.
Benefits and Functions of Dahuangdu
Taste and characteristics of Dahuangdu
The root is cylindrical in shape, ranging from conical to spindle-shaped, with a diameter of 1-8cm. The outer skin is yellow-brown and wrinkled. The texture is powdery, and the cross-section is yellow-white with alternating concentric rings. It has a warm nature, with a pungent and bitter taste, and is highly toxic.
Plant morphology of Dahuangdu: It is a perennial herb with white latex. The roots are clumpy or conical, with a brown outer skin and a yellow-white inner surface. The stems are erect and purple-brown. The leaves are alternate and nearly sessile, with narrow elliptical or lanceolate shapes, 1.5-6cm long and 8-15mm wide. The inflorescence is terminal or axillary, with 1-3 levels of trichotomous branching. Each branching point usually has 3 leaf-like ovate bracts, and there are 2 small bracts at the top, where a cup-shaped umbel inflorescence is formed. The flowers are pale yellow, with reddish-brown glands, flattened and broadly elliptical, and the fruit is ovate with soft spines. It splits into 3 chambers when mature.
Habitat of Dahuangdu
It grows in rock crevices or grassy slopes in high mountains. It is mainly found in Yunnan province.
Chemical constituents of Dahuangdu
It contains Euphorbia resin, alkaloids, and saponins, among other compounds.
Functions and indications of Dahuangdu
It promotes bowel movements and diuresis, and can be used externally to stop bleeding and relieve itching. It is used for edema, ascites in liver cirrhosis, traumatic bleeding, lymphadenitis, bruises and swelling, and skin itching, scabies and ringworm.
Images of Dahuangdu
