Rhizoma Dryopteris
Crassirhizomae
Source
Rhizome with petiole base of Dryoptens crassirhizoma Nakai, family Dryopteridaceae
and Blechnum orientale L., family Blechnaceae.
Characteristics
D. crassirhizomae: Rhizome obvate or longitudinally cut into two, 10-20
cm
long, 5-8 cm broad, brown-yellow, stout. The base of the petiole flat-rounded,
with scales and relic fibrous root. B. orientale: Rhizome linear, petiole
base rounded, with relic fibrous roots. Its size and colour similar to
the above-mentioned species. Bitter in taste, cold in nature, and attributive
to liver and spleen channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and toxic material: For preventing and treating pestilence
and seasonal febrile diseases, such as influenza, epidemic cerebrospinal
mernngitis, mumps, measles, etc., also for viral pneumonia.
2. Cool the blood and stop bleeding: For profuse uterine bleeding due
to blood-heat, hematemesis, epistaxis, hemafecia, eruptive diseases, etc.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Antivirotic and bacteriostatic.
2. Parasiticidal effect on hookworm, roundworm and whipworm, etc. in human,
and its component filmarone, on tapeworm.
3. Its decoction shortens the blood clotting time in rabbits.
4. Its extract exerts an abortive effect.
Administration Decoction: 6-15g.
Caution: D. Ctassirhizomae is poisonous and is contraindicated for pregnant women, aged, debilitated and those suffering from peptic ulcer.