Effects and functions of Phellodendron chinense

The Chinese medicinal herb Phellodendron chinense is already very familiar to most people. But in fact, not many people know the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Phellodendron chinense, so let’s talk about it below.

【Other names】 Anhui barberry, Phellodendron

[Source] It is the root , stem or bark of Phellodendron chinense, a plant of the Berberidaceae family. Harvest in autumn.

[Original form] Deciduous shrub, about 1 meter high. The twigs are slightly angular, the biennial branches are yellow or dark brown, and have thorns of modified leaves, which are single or trifurcated, 1.5 to 3 cm long. Single leaves are alternate or clustered on short branches; elliptical, obovate or obovate-oblong, 2-6 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm wide, obtuse at the tip, cuneate at the base, with short awn-like serrations on the edge, grayish white underneath, with prominent reticular patterns. 10 to 12 flowers in terminal racemes, about 6 cm long, bisexual, about 1 cm in diameter, with petioles; 6 sepals, yellow, petal-like, obovate, with 2 to 3 bracts at the base; 6 petals, usually smaller than sepals, with 2 nectaries at the base; 6 stamens, opposite to the petals, with 2-valve lobes; 1 carpel, superior ovary, elliptical, stigma sessile. The berries are oval, blood red, and slightly powdery. Flowering period is May. Fruiting period is November.

[Habitat distribution] It grows in rock crevices in valleys, under forests by streams, and in mountain thickets. Distributed in Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and other places.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter in taste, cold in nature.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, dries dampness, promotes diuresis and kills insects. Treat jaundice, eye diseases, hot dysentery with blood, stranguria and leucorrhea, sores and heat toxins.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 1.5 to 3 qian.

[Additional prescription] For treating heat-stagnation, difficulty urinating and unknown poisonous sores: 3 grams of Anhui Berberis bark. Decoction in water.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Sichuan Provincial Pharmacopoeia".

Through the detailed introduction above, we have a good understanding of the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Phellodendron chinense. I hope this can be helpful to everyone.