Herba Dendrobii
Source
The stem of Dendrobium nobile Lindi., D. chrysanthum Wall. ex LindL, D.
loddigesii Rolfe and Ephemerantha fimbriata (Bl.) Hunt et Summerh., family
Orchidaceae.
Characteristics
D. nobile: Stem flat-terete unequal in length, 0.4-0.6 cm in diameter.
Surface
golden yellow, smooth or with longitudinally striae; nodes visible, sometimes
with remnants of leaf sheathes; intemodes flat, thick at the upper and
thin at the lower part. D. chrysanthum: Stem terete, 0.3-0.5 cm in diameter;
internodes even and round. D. loddigesii: The diameter of stem smaller
then that of the above two, usually prepared as spiral rings. E. fimbriata:
Stem golden yellow and smooth, growing transversely and branching; nodes
dense and visible, with fibrous roots. Stem short, with cambiform pseudo
bulb on which a leaf grows. All are sweet and bland in taste, slightly
cold in nature, and attributive to lung, stomach and kidney channels.
Indication
Nourish yin, clear away heat, benefit stomach and promote the production
of body fluid: For febrile diseases with consumption of yin manifested
as drv throat, thirst, asthenic-heat, and vexation; insufficiency of stomach-yin
and flaming-up of asthenic fire manifested as epigastric pain, thirst,
retching, red tongue with little coating or uncoated and smooth tongue.
Pharmacological
Action
1.
Dendrobine, one of its components, exerts the effects of raising the level
of blood sugar, hypotensive, antipyretic and analgesic.
2. Its infusion is cardio-inhibitory.
3. Low dosage causes excitation while high dosage causes inhibition of
the intestine of rabbits in vitro.
Administration Decoction: 9-20g.