Effects and functions of Rhus chinensis root bark

Chinese medicine has different effects on our body and can regulate our body. Today we will introduce a Chinese medicine: Rhus chinensis root bark. What are its specific effects and functions? Let’s take a look.

[Alias] White bark of salt bran tree.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The root bark of Rhus chinensis Mill., a plant of the Anacardiaceae family, without the cork.

[Original form] Rhus chinensis is a deciduous small tree or shrub, 2-10m tall. The twigs are brown, covered with rusty soft hairs, and have small round lenticels. Odd-pinnate compound leaves are alternate, with rachis and petioles often winged; leaflets are 5-13 and sessile; leaflets are papery, polymorphic, often ovate or elliptic-ovate or oblong, 6-12cm long and 3-7cm wide. The apex is acute, the base is rounded, the edge has coarse serrations or circular saws, the leaf surface is dark green, the back of the leaf is pink-green, covered with white powder, the leaf surface is sparsely covered with soft hairs or nearly hairless along the midrib, and the back of the leaf is covered with rusty soft hairs. The panicle is broad, terminal, and much-branched. The male inflorescence is 30-40cm long, while the female inflorescence is shorter and densely covered with rusty soft hairs. The flowers are small, heterosexual, and yellow-white. The calyx lobes of male flowers are oblong, about 1mm long, and the petals are obovate-oblong, about 2mm long. When flowering, they are rolled outward, the stamens extend outward, the filaments are linear, and the anthers are ovate. The calyx lobes of female flowers are shorter, about 0.6mm long, and the petals are elliptical-ovate, about 1.6mm long. The disk is glabrous. The ovary is ovate, about 1mm long, densely covered with white fine hairs. There are 3 styles, and the stigma is capitate. The drupe is spherical, slightly flattened, about 4-5mm in diameter, covered with node pubescence and glandular hairs, red when ripe, and the core diameter is 3-4mm. The flowering period is August-September, and the fruiting period is October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in limestone thickets and sparse forests at an altitude of 350-2300m.

【Nature and flavor】 Sour; salty; cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and dampness; detoxifies and relieves blood stasis. It is used to treat jaundice, edema, rheumatic pain, infantile malnutrition, sores, swelling, trauma, and snake bites.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-60g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above are some little knowledge about the root bark of Rhus chinensis. If you feel it is suitable for your physical condition, you might as well give it a try. I believe it will bring about a significant improvement to your body.