Rhizoma Dioscoreae
Bulbiferae
Source
Rhizome of Dioscorea bulbifera L., family Dioscoteaceae
Characteristics
Rhizome ovate, 4-5 cm in diameter. Surface dark, with fibrous roots or
its scars. Prepared as slices, yellow-brown, smooth or granular, showing
numerous vascular bundle spots. Bitter in taste, cold in nature, and attributive
to lung and liver channels.
Indication
Remove phlegm, disperse the lumps, detoxify and relieve swelling: For
endemic goiter, hyperthyroidism, whooping cough, cough of lung-heat type,
thyroid adenoma, thyroid cancer, tumour of digestive tract, lung and mammary
cancer, etc.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Inhibiting the growth of leukemia615, sarcoma180 and cervical carcinoma14
in mice.
2. Relieving iodine deficiency and goiter in experimental animals.
Administration
Decoction:
6-12g. 10-20% tincture: 15-25 ml tid.
Caution
This herb may cause damage to the liver when taken for a long time or
in a large dose, so it is contraindicated for liver disease.