The efficacy and function of Cimicifuga heracleifolia

As a very common Chinese medicinal material in daily life, Cimicifuga foetida has high medicinal and nutritional value to the human body, and it is not too difficult to purchase. Let’s analyze several aspects of Cimicifuga foetida below.

[Other names] Spotted hemp, hemp sand vegetable, white flower root, rice vegetable, earthenware angelica (Guizhou Folk Medicine), cat turning over the steamer, moving the steamer upside down (Guizhou Herbs).

[Source] It is the root of the white drum nail of the Asteraceae plant. Harvested in autumn and sun-dried.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 35 to 80 cm tall. There is a short rhizome underground, surrounded by clusters of fibrous roots, which are slender and soft, and the branch roots are thin and light yellowish white. Stem erect, cylindrical, usually simple, rarely branched, pubescent throughout. Leaves are opposite, sessile, or nearly sessile; leaf blades are linear-lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, pointed at the apex, acutely cuneate at the base, with irregular sparse serrations on the margin, sometimes deeply lobed, with 3 distinct veins near the base, dark green above, yellow-green below, with pus spots, and densely covered with white bristles on both sides. The capitula is arranged in a tight cyme and is terminal; the involucre is bell-shaped and imbricately arranged, with about 10 bracts of varying sizes, rectangular, pointed at the apex, and membranous and dry edges; the receptacle is bare, with 5 to 6 tubular flowers on it, bisexual, purple, and 5-lobed at the apex; there are 5 stamens, the anthers are more or less fused, surrounding the style, with attached pedicles at the top and obtuse at the base; the stigma is protruding, 2-lobed, and the lobes are cylindrical. Achenes have 5 ribs, pappus uniseriate, spiny. Flowering period is from August to October.

[Habitat distribution] It grows wild on moist hillsides, grasslands, or beside streams. Distributed in provinces of North China, Northeast China, East China and Central and South China.

【Chemical composition】 Contains coumarin.

【Properties and flavors】 "Guizhou Folk Medicine": "Warm in nature, bitter in taste, non-toxic."

【Functions and indications】 Treat colds, malaria, and intestinal parasites.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3 to 4 qian.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat colds: 4 grams of Cimicifuga heracleifolia, 3 grams of Pueraria root and 3 grams of Bupleurum chinense. Take it in decoction. (Guizhou Folk Medicine)

[Remarks] The whole herb of this plant was once used as perilla in southern Jiangsu, and its commercial name was "pointed perilla". See the entry for "Perrin".

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Cimicifuga heracleifolia is a medicinal material that has existed for a long time. It is recorded in many Chinese medicine books, which shows that Cimicifuga heracleifolia does have good medicinal value.