Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae
April 15, 2009 by Jack
Name: Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae
Resource: Root of Stephania tetrandra S.Moore,family Menispermaceae.
Characteristic: Root irregularly cylindrical or semicylindrical,curved with marked transverse constrictions like pig’s large intestines,5 cm in diameter.Cork grey-yellow,thin,with protruding transverse and long lenticels.Prepared by crosscutting,showing broad radial lines and few narrow light brown vessels in the xylem,appearing white,farinaceous wheelshaped stripes as a whole.Bitter in taste,cold in nature,and attributive to lung,spleen and urinary bladder channels.
Pharmacodynamics: 1.Expel wind-dampness and alleviate pain:For arthralgia,especially of heat type,also for acrodynia of dampness-heat type,trauma,periarthritis ofjoint and angina pectoris. 2.Promote diuresis and relieve edema:For edema and dysuria. 3.Eliminate phlegm and relieve asthma:In ancient times,use for dyspneic cough due to“withered”lung or lung-heat;for hemoptysis with abundant expectoration due to withered lung,used together with Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae.Recently,used for bronchial asthma,asthmatic bronchitis,silicosis,pulmonary tuberculosis,etc. 4.Lower blood pressure:For hypertension,especially that complicated by coronary heart diseases. 5.Anti-carcinogenic:For carcinoma of lung,and squamous cell epithioma(decreasing the dosage of radiotherapy by one-third to one-fourth and minimizing the occurrence of side effect).
Pharmacological: 1.Hanfangchin A and B are two active compunents,which have an anti-inflammatory effect. 2.Anti-allergic,inhibiting the release of histamine. 3.Promoting phagocytosis. 4.Dilating coronary artery and decreasing myocardial oxygen consumption. 5.Ingibiting the growth of Bacillus tuberculosis,Staphylococcus aureus and ameba. 6.High dosage may induce respiratory inhibition and cardiac arrest.
Usage: Decoction:6-12g.Tale(Hanfangchin A 20 or 60mg):tid.;or 200-300mg tid.for tumor.Ampoule(Hanfangchin A 60mg):120mg added in normal saline 20ml IV daily,or 30-60mg IMbid.
Caution:
