Fructus Arlstolochiae
Source
Fruit of AristoIochiz contorta Bunge or A. debuts Sieb. et Zucc., family
Aristolochiaceae.
Chacteristics
Capsule
oblong or oval, 3-5 cm long, 2-3 cm in diameter. Surface grey-green or
grey-grown, with 12 longitudinal striae and many regular transverse fine
marks presenting between them. Exocarp light and brittle, becoming 6 lobes
when broken; stalks slender with 6 dehiscences jointed with the 6 lobes;
each capsule dividing into 6 cells, each of which containing numerous
seeds. Seed obtuse-triangular, with regularly folded wings on the margiri.
Bitter and slightly acrid in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to
lung and large intestine channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat, relieve dyspnea, eliminate 
phlegm
and relieve cough: For dyspneic cough of lung-heat type, cough of dryness-heat
type with bloody sputum, and aphonia of lung-heat type.
2. Clear away heat in the large intestine: For hemorrhoids with pain and
bleeding.
3. Lower blood pressure: For hypertension with heat-syndrome.
Pharmacological
Action
Its decoction inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus,
Bacillus dysenteriae and dermatomyces in vitro.
Administration Decoction: 3-9g