Folium Pyrrosiae
Source
leaf of Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farwell, P. sheareri (Bak.) Ching, and
P petfolosa (Christ) Ching, family Polypodiaceae.
Characteristics
P. lingua: leaf solitary, lanceolate, base cuneate and symmetrical, dorsal
surface covered by grey stellate hairs, sporangia arranged regularly along
the lateral veins; petiole slender. P sheareri: leaf base auriform and
oblique, dorsal surface covered by red stellate hairs, margin usually
involute. P. petiolosa: leaf oblong, but usually curved in cylindrical
shape, dorsal surface red brown, densely covered by sporangia. All are
bitter and sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature, and attributive to
lung and urinary bladder channels.
Indication
1. Promote diuresis and relieve urinary stranguria: For stranguria of
heat type and caused by urinary stone, and edema.
2. Clear away lung-heat, eliminate phlegm, relieve cough and asthma: For
productive cough due to lung-heat (P lingua and P. petiolosa), and bronchial
asthma (P. petiolosa).
3. Cool the blood and stop bleeding: For hemoptysis and hematuria. Recently
also used for acute and chronic dysentery and leukopenia.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Its active components, isomangiferin and fumaric acid, are antitussives
and expectorants.
2. Effective for cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia in mice.
Administration Decoction: 10-30g; 50-100g for single use.