The efficacy and function of Rhus chinensis bark

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Rhus chinensis bark?

[Alias] White bark of salt bran tree.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The bark of Rhus chinensis Mill., a plant of the Anacardiaceae family, without the cork.

[Original form] Rhus chinensis is a deciduous small tree or shrub, 2-10m tall. The twigs are brown, covered with rusty soft hairs, and have small round lenticels. Odd-pinnate compound leaves are alternate, with rachis and petioles often winged; leaflets are 5-13 and sessile; leaflets are papery, polymorphic, often ovate or elliptic-ovate or oblong, 6-12cm long and 3-7cm wide. The apex is acute, the base is rounded, the edge has coarse serrations or circular saws, the leaf surface is dark green, the back of the leaf is pink-green, covered with white powder, the leaf surface is sparsely covered with soft hairs or nearly hairless along the midrib, and the back of the leaf is covered with rusty soft hairs. The panicle is broad, terminal, and much-branched. The male inflorescence is 30-40cm long, while the female inflorescence is shorter and densely covered with rusty soft hairs. The flowers are small, heterosexual, and yellow-white. The calyx lobes of male flowers are oblong, about 1mm long, and the petals are obovate-oblong, about 2mm long. When flowering, they are rolled outward, the stamens extend outward, the filaments are linear, and the anthers are ovate. The calyx lobes of female flowers are shorter, about 0.6mm long, and the petals are elliptical-ovate, about 1.6mm long. The disk is glabrous. The ovary is ovate, about 1mm long, densely covered with white fine hairs. There are 3 styles, and the stigma is capitate. The drupe is spherical, slightly flattened, about 4-5mm in diameter, covered with node pubescence and glandular hairs, red when ripe, and the core diameter is 3-4mm. The flowering period is August-September, and the fruiting period is October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in limestone thickets and sparse forests at an altitude of 350-2300m.

【Nature and flavor】 Sour; slightly cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; promotes blood circulation and stops dysentery. Mainly used for bloody diarrhea, carbuncle, scabies, snake and dog bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-60g. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing or mash for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

In order to let more friends know about Rhus chinensis bark, you can introduce it to more friends around you so that more people will know how to use this medicine.