1. Description:
Ampelopsis japonica (scientific name: Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino, also known as Japanese Peppervine, Chinese Pinyin: Bai Lian, Simplified Chinese: 白蔹, 山地瓜, 野红薯, 山葡萄秧, 白根, 五爪藤), is a species of flowering shrub in genus Ampelopsis (Vitaceae family). Found on hillside, shrub or meadow (from between 100 to 900 meters in elevation) in eastern Asia and eastern North America, the plant can grow up to 100 cm tall. The root of Ampelopsis japonica is used as antipyretic, detoxicant and discutient in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as eczema.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The root of Ampelopsis japonica is considered to have bitter, neutral and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the heart and stomach meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Ampelopsis Japonica & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Analgesic Effect
Ampelopsis japonica itself has no analgesic effect, but simultaneous use of Ampelopsis japonica and common monkshood mother root can enhance the analgesic effect of the later herb.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Ampelopsis japonica root, rhizomes of coptis chinensis, fossil fragments, gedanite and cuttle bone are powdered and used externally to treat ear infection with pus.
3.3 Anticancer
In vitro experiments, extract from Ampelopsis japonica root exhibited an inhibition rate of 90% on human cervical cancer cell.
3.4 Skin Health
Ampelopsis japonica root, Veratrum nigrum root and wine are mixed and applied externally to treat painful and repeated lumps of pus.
Ampelopsis japonica root, Aconitum carmichaeli rhizome, phytolacca acinosa root, root of scutellaria baicalensis, dried ginger and Rhododendron simsii are powdered and taken before meal to treat vitiligo (a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment).
Ampelopsis japonica root, rhizomes of coptis chinensis and lead carbonate are powdered and applied externally to treat prickly heat rash.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.