The difference between Sichuan Achyranthes bidentata and Huai Achyranthes bidentata

In modern society, more and more people like to use Chinese medicine to nourish the body, so as to achieve the effect of prolonging life and strengthening the body. Different Chinese medicines have different physiological effects. Generally speaking, Chinese medicine has no sequelae, but drinking Chinese medicine is also a bit taboo. Sichuan Achyranthes and Huai Achyranthes are both Chinese herbal medicines. Although their names look similar, their effects are very different. So, what is the difference between Sichuan Achyranthes and Huai Achyranthes?

Sichuan Achyranthes bidentata, a traditional Chinese medicine. Cyathula officinalis

The dried root of Kuan. Dig up in autumn and winter, remove the reed head, fibrous roots and mud and sand, bake or sun-dry until half-dry, and pile up to moisten. Then dry in the oven or in the sun.

Achyranthes bidentata belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is a perennial herb. It is also known as mountain amaranth, amaranth, and ox stem. The root is cylindrical, the stem is angular, the nodes are swollen, and it looks like a cow's knee, so it is called Achyranthes bidentata. The main producing areas are Wen County, Wuzhi, Boai and Qinyang in Henan Province, formerly known as Huaiqing Prefecture, so it is called Huai Niuxi. It is one of the famous "Four Huai Medicines". The one mainly produced in Yashan, Leshan and Xichang of Sichuan is called Sichuan Achyranthes bidentata. However, Huaihai Achyranthes bidentata has the best quality and ranks first in the country in quantity. In 1959, it accounted for 46% of the country's total output. Huai Niuxi got its name from the Huaiqing Prefecture where it was produced in history, located in the present-day Jiaozuo area of ​​Henan Province. The characteristics of Huai Niuxi are: thick, bright, colorful and oily strips.

1. The difference between the appearance of Huai Niuxi and Sichuan Niuxi

Sichuan Achyranthes bidentata is mainly produced in the Sichuan Basin, while Huaihai Achyranthes bidentata is produced in Huaiqing Prefecture (now Jiaozuo, Henan), a famous medicinal material capital in history. The finished products of the two types of Achyranthes bidentata are the same, but there are certain differences in their appearance. The surface of Sichuan Cyathula is yellow-brown or gray-brown, approximately cylindrical, slightly thinner downwards, and has a certain degree of twisting. The texture of Sichuan Achyranthes is very hard and tough. It is not easy to break. The cross section is light yellow, and the vascular bundles are arranged in concentric circles. In comparison, the color of Chinese rhubarb is more vivid and bright, and the stripes are thicker and oilier.

2. The difference between the effects of Achyranthes bidentata and Achyranthes bidentata

The main medicinal part of Sichuan Achyranthes is the root of the plant. Remove the reed head and impurities from the harvested dry roots of the plant, wash them, cut them into thin slices and boil them for oral administration. It has the effects of removing blood stasis and relieving dysmenorrhea, promoting diuresis and relieving stranguria, and is used to treat rheumatism, hematuria, stranguria and other diseases. In addition to using wild species of Achyranthes bidentata, the roots and rhizomes of Achyranthes bidentata and Achyranthes bidentata can also be used as medicine. The main usage of Chinese Achyranthes bidentata is oral decoction and external application. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, clearing away heat and detoxifying. It can be a good treatment for diseases such as amenorrhea, rheumatic joint pain, contusions and injuries in women.