Herba Desmodii
Styracifolii
Source
The whole plant of Desmodium styracifolium (Osbeck) Merr., family Leguminosae.
Characteristics
A herb. Stem diffuse, covered by yellow hair. Leaflets 1-3 in number,
nearly rounded with retuse apex, lateral veins pinnate and regular, dorsal
surface covered by white down. Raceme terminal and axillary. Corolla papillionaceous,
small and purple. Legume with 3-6 wavy nodes on one side, covered by hooked
hairs. Sweet and bland in taste and slightly cold in nature.
Indication
Clear away heat, promote diuresis and relieve stranguria: For stranguria
caused by urinary stone and stranguria of heat-type. Recently used most
commonly for cases of infectious hepatitis, cholelithiasis and cholecystitis
with dampness-heat syndrome, also for cases of coronary heart diseases
with dampness-heat syndrome.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Its flavones increase coronary, cerebral and renal blood flow, counteracting
pituitrin-induced myocardial ischemia and arrhythmia and enhancing the
anoxic tolerance under atomosphere in experimental animals.
2. Increasing biliary secretion.
3. Diuretic.
Administration
Decoction: 20-60g.
Tablet (each containing 0.12g of its extract): 5 tablets tid, for urinary
stones and gall stones