The efficacy and function of Torreya grandis branches and leaves

The medicinal value of the branches and leaves of Torreya grandis is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. The branches and leaves of Torreya grandis contain many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let’s take a look.

[Source] Medicinal material source: branches and leaves of Torreya grandis of the Cephalotaxaceae family.

[Original form] Shrub or small tree, up to 15m tall. The bark is gray or gray-brown and cracks into thin flakes and falls off. The leaves are linear, arranged in 2 rows, 2-5cm long, about 3mm wide, gradually narrowing at the top, gradually pointed or slightly convex at the tip, nearly round at the base, thick in texture, dark green on the upper side, with obvious midrib, and 2 white stomatal bands on the lower side, 2-4 times wider than the green edge band. The male cones are clustered into heads with 6-7 in diameter and a peduncle of about 3 mm in length. The male cones are oval in shape with a bract at the base and 4-11 stamens. The female cones are capitate, with usually 2-5 ovules that develop into seeds. There are 2-5 seeds, growing at the upper end of the peduncle, which are oval, elliptical-oval or nearly spherical, 1.8-2.5 cm long, with a pointed tip in the center. The flowering period is March-April, and the seeds mature in October-November.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Distributed in the Yangtze River basin to Guangdong and Guangxi in the south, and to Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and other places in the west.

[Chemical composition] The branches and leaves contain cephalotaxine, Ⅱ-hydroxycephaltaxine, drupacine, demethylcephalotaxinone, C-3-epiwilsonine, and wilsonine. The bark contains hainanolide, isoharringtonine and homoharringtonine. In addition, it also contains harringtonine and deoxyharringtonine.

[Pharmacological action] The pharmacological action of cephalotaxine, torreya grandis and isothrix torreya grandis isolated from the branches and leaves of Torreya grandis. The total bioalkaloid preparation of Torreya grandis in Hainan has a certain therapeutic effect on acute and chronic myeloid leukemia and malignant lymphoma.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; astringent; cold

【Functions and indications】Anti-cancer. Primary leukemia; malignant lymphoma

[Usage and Dosage] Generally, the bioalkali is extracted and made into injection for use. Specific usage and dosage: 1. For the treatment of leukemia, 50-100 mg of total bioalkali of Torreya grandis L. is injected intramuscularly daily, and up to 200 mg is used in some cases. 11 cases of chronic myeloid leukemia were treated, and 3 cases were completely relieved, 2 cases were partially relieved at grade I and grade II, and 4 cases were not relieved. It was also found that this product has a good effect on chronic myeloid blast crisis. It was used to treat 10 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, most of which were used in combination with cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, hormones, etc. Except for one case, all achieved varying degrees of remission, including complete remission in 6 cases. Four cases of acute myeloid leukosis were observed. There were 2 cases of complete remission and 5 cases of partial remission.

【Note】 The main toxicity of this product is bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reactions. A small number of patients may experience cardiac toxicity.

[Additional prescription] The plant morphology and fruit of this product are similar to those of Torreya grandis, but the wood texture is rougher than that of Torreya grandis, hence the name coarse Torreya grandis. Its seeds are also eaten instead of Torreya grandis nuts and are called native Torreya grandis.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the effects of the branches and leaves of Torreya grandis. When using it, you can do so according to the needs mentioned above. The branches and leaves of Torreya grandis are also very helpful in treating certain diseases.