1. Description:
Rehmannia Glutinosa (Chinese: Di Huang, 地黄), a species of perennial flowering plant in genus Rehmannia (Orobanchaceae family). Endemic to China (found from between 50 to 1,100 metres in elevation), the plant can grow up to 30 cm tall. The rhizome of rehmannia glutinosa root acts as kidney enhancer, diuretic, antiphlogistic, antipyretic and hemostatic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) used in treating diseases including typhoid fever, heavy bleeding during periods, nasosinusitis and diabetes.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Fresh rehmannia glutinosa rhizome (鲜地黄) is considered to have sweet, bitter and cold properties and to be associated with the heart, liver and kidney meridians.
Dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome (生地黄) is considered to have sweet and cold properties and to be associated with the heart, liver and kidney meridians.
Prepared rehmannia glutinosa rhizome (熟地黄) is considered to have sweet and slightly warm properties and to be associated with the heart, liver and kidney meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Rehmannia Glutinosa Root & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Typhoid Fever
A decoction of rhinoceros horn, dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome, peony root and tree peony root bark is taken orally to treat typhoid fever with hematemesis.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
A decoction of dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome, fructus forsythiae, root of scutellaria baicalensis, ophiopogon japonicus root and scrophularia ningpoensis is taken orally to treat diphtheria (a potentially fatal contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin).
Fresh rehmannia glutinosa rhizome juice is taken orally with rice congee to treat a complex condition characterized by the simultaneous presence of cold in the exterior portion of the body and heat in the interior (symptoms include taste disorder, emaciation, swollen ankles and feet).
Dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome and fresh ginger (pounded and fried) are applied externally to treat injuries from falls.
3.3 Bleeding Stopping
[Ancient Prescription] A decoction of fresh rehmannia glutinosa rhizome juice and oriental motherwort juice is taken frequently to treat excessive blood loss after delivery.
A decoction of fresh rehmannia glutinosa rhizome juice, deer horn gelatin (Lu Jiao Jiao, 鹿角胶) and urine of boys under ten is used in treating lung system related hematemesis.
3.4 Skin Health
A decoction of root of dictamnus albus, tribulus terrestris, zaocys dhumnade, fresh rehmannia glutinosa root, radix sileris, Angelica sinensis and licorice root is taken to treat hives (urticaria) as well as chronic eczema.
3.5 Diabetes
Pills made with dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome, fresh ginger and fresh ophiopogon root is taken orally with soup to treat diabetes.
3.6 Nasosinusitis
Pills made with stachys riederi leaves, Sichuan lovage rhizome, the root bark of white mulberry, astragalus propinquus (roasted), licorice root (roasted), fresh rehmannia glutinosa root (baked) and honey is taken with ginseng soup to treat nasosinusitis.
3.7 Gynecologic Diseases and Disorders
A decoction of cirsium setosum (rhizome and leaves), fresh rehmannia glutinosa root juice and white atractylodes rhizome is taken to treat bleeding disorder with heavy bleeding during periods.
A decoction of artemisia argyi leaves, Sichuan lovage rhizome, licorice root, Angelica sinensis, rehmannia glutinosa root, peony root, donkey-hide gelatin and wine is taken orally to treat abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
3.8 Improve Kidney Function, Promote Vitality And Sexual Energy
A decoction of eupatorium fortunei, ginseng, white atractylodes rhizome, root of white peony, fresh rehmannia glutinosa root, poria with hostwood, cinnamon, Zhi Gan Cao (processed licorice root, radix glycyrrhizae preparata, 炙甘草, 灸甘草) and red dates is taken to treat excessive nocturnal emissions in men.
Root of curculigo orchioides (soaked in washing water of sticky rice), atractylodes (soaked in washing water of rice), boxthorn seeds, plantain seed, white poria (peeled), fried foeniculum vulgare, platycladi seed (peeled), prepared rehmannia glutinosa root, fresh rehmannia glutinosa root and wine can be processed into pills for oral taking to treat impotence and premature ejaculation.
3.9 Sleep Disorder
A decoction of dried rehmannia glutinosa rhizome, rhinoceros horn, scrophularia ningpoensis root, common Lophatherum, ophiopogon japonicus root, salvia miltiorrhiza root, rhizomes of coptis chinensis, honeysuckle and fructus forsythiae is taken orally to treat chronic sleep loss and disturbed sleep.
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.