The efficacy and function of the bark of the hairy wood

The bark of the hairy wood tree is a common Chinese medicine. It can be used for medicinal purposes as well as for food. The effects and functions of the hairy wood tree bark are quite comprehensive. Let's take a look at it together.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The bark of Schima superba of the Theaceae family.

[Original form] Schima superba is an evergreen tree, 7-12m tall. The buds, twigs, petioles and undersides of leaves are all covered with short soft hairs. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 1-1.5cm long, flat and wide; leaf blade is papery or thinly leathery, elliptical, 8-16cm long, 3-7cm wide, with short acuminate tip, broad cuneate base, entire or sparsely obtusely toothed. Flowers are solitary in the leaf axils at the top of branches; pedicels are 1-1.5cm long; sepals are 5, densely covered with short filamentous hairs on the outside, which are persistent; petals are 5, white, fused at the base, and the outer one is cucullate; stamens are numerous, inserted at the base of the petals, and anthers are T-shaped; ovary is superior, with 5 chambers, 1 style, and stigma is 5-lobed. The capsule is spherical, woody, about 2 cm in diameter, and 5-lobed. The seeds are flat, kidney-shaped, about 8 mm long, and surrounded by wings.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in mountain forests at an altitude of 800-1800m.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains a saponin mixture - schi-wallin. The aglycones isolated from it include bar-rigenol A1-28-angelate, barrigenol R1, bar-ringtogenol C and the angelic acid ester of dihydropriverogenin A, primulagenin A; the sugar part is composed of glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose and rhamnose in equimolar ratios. It also contains octacosanol, phytol, and α-spinasterol.

【Pharmacological action】 The ethanol extract has significant anti-dermatofungal effect.

【Nature and flavor】 Astringent; neutral; slightly toxic

【Functions and indications】 Astringent and antidiarrheal; anthelmintic; antimalarial; astringent and hemostatic. Mainly used for diarrhea; dysentery; abdominal pain caused by roundworms; malaria; uterine prolapse; nosebleed

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-10g. For external use: take appropriate amount and decoct in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Based on the above summary, the bark of the hairy wood still has certain pharmacological effects. What needs to be noted is that the hairy wood bark should be consumed according to one's actual situation and not in excess.