1. Description:
Stephania cephalantha (scientific name: Stephania cephalantha Hayata, Chinese Pinyin: Bai Yao Zi, Simplified Chinese: 白药子, 白药根, 山乌龟), is a species of perennial deciduous vine in genus Stephania (botanical Menispermaceae family). Native to eastern and southern Asia and Australasia and found on grassland, hillsides and in bushes, the root of Stephania cephalantha is used as antipyretic, detoxicant, hemostatic, stasis-eliminating drug and discutient in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as acute hepatitis and acute appendicitis.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The root of Stephania cephalantha is considered to have pungent, warm and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the spleen, stomach and kidney meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Stephania Cephalantha & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Rheumatic Arthritis
Medicated wine with Stephania cephalantha root, Cleisostoma scolopendrifolium and Glechoma longituba is taken daily after meal to treat rheumatic arthritis.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Pills made with Stephania cephalantha root, resin of kaput wood and honey is contained in mouth to treat sore throat.
3.3 Bleeding Stopping
Ash of Stephania cephalantha root is taken with sticky rice soup to treat hematemesis.
Ash of Stephania cephalantha root and red dates is used in stopping bleeding from five sense organs or subcutaneous tissue.
3.4 Eye Health
Pork liver cooked with Stephania cephalantha root and licorice root is taken to treat macula of retina.
3.5 Skin Health
Smashed fresh Stephania cephalantha root is applied externally to treat chronic painful and repeated lumps of pus.
3.6 Prevent Abortion
Stephania cephalantha root and Angelica root are powdered and taken with perilla soup to help prevent abortion.
3.7 Liver Cirrhosis
A decoction of Stephania cephalantha root, Plantago depressa, Lysimachia christinae, Hedyotis diffusa, Polygala japonica and salvia miltiorrhiza root is taken orally to treat cirrhosis of the liver with abdominal dropsy.
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.