Rhizoma Polygoni
Cuspidati
Source
Rhizome and root of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc., family Polygonaceae.
Characteristics
Rhizome terete with enlarged nodes, several thick roots growing from 
the
lower part, surface brown-yellow to brown-red. Cross section showing thin
cortex and broad, radial and fibrous xylem, with the same colour as its
surface. The pith of the rhizome usually hollowed. Slightly bitter in
taste, slightly cold in nature, and attributive to liver, lung and gallbladder
channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and dampness: For jaundice of dampness-heat type, recently
used for cases of infectious hepatitis, icterus neonatorum, cholelithiasis
and cholecystitis with dampness-heat or severe heat syndrome; for leucorrhagia
and pruritus vulvae of dampness-heat type, including mycotic trichomonas
and bacterial vaginitis (local use chiefly); for stranguria of heat type.
2. Clear away heat and toxic material: For burn; carbunculosis, snake
bite, high fever with extreme thirst, and constipation.
3. Eliminate sputum and relieve cough: For cough of lung-heat type and
chronic cough, usually used together with Folium Mahoniae and Folium Eno
botryae.
4.
Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis: For amenorrhea, menorrhalgia
and trauma with blood stasis, and rheumatism. Recently, also used for
hyperlipemia and leukocytopenia.
Pharmacological
Action
1. An active component, polydatin, decreases the level of blood-fat.
2. Raising the level of white blood cells.
3. Inhibiting the growth of various gram-positive and gram negative bacteria,
Candida albicans, herpes virus, ECHO11 virus, and encephalitis B virus
in vitro.
4. Polydatin can dilate blood capiliaries, improve micro-circulation and
inhibit thrombosis.
5. Sedative and analgesic.
Administration
Decoction: 10-30g.
Extemal use: 50% decoction for burn; cotton ball soaked in 100% decoction
as vaginal suppository once daily for vaginitis; ointment for infection
of soft tissue.