Enlarge PhotoRhizoma Bistortae

1 Pieces flattened and rod-like, or flattened, cylindrical and curved; outer surface dull purplish-brown or purplish-black, rough.

2 Whole rhizome marked with dense annulations and remnants of rootlets or root scars.

3 Cut surface red.

Enlarge PhotoRhizoma Paridis

1 Cut surface white.

2 One side of annulations with sparsely grown fibrous roots.

3 Pieces nodular, flattened and cylindrical, slightly curved. Outer surface greyish-brown, surface densely covered with laminiform (consisting of layers), protuberant annulations.

Rhizoma Bistortae and Rhizoma Paridis
Rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L. (Polygonaceae). Rhizome of Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara (Liliaceae).
Clearing heat and removing toxins; reducing swelling and stopping bleeding. Clearing heat and removing toxins; reducing swelling and relieving pain.
Diarrhoea, enteritis; bleeding haemorrhoids; dermatitis; stomatitis, gingivitis (used externally). Sore throat, skin infections, snakebites; febrile diseases; convulsion due to high fever, especially infantile convulsions; cough and dyspnoea; ecchymosis and traumatic bleeding.
Top grades are thick, hard; cut surfaces light brownish-red. Top grades are thick, hard; cut surfaces white.
» Rhizoma Bistortae's Detail   » Rhizoma Paridis's Detail
Quan Shen (Rhizoma Bistor tae) is customarily called “Cao He Che” (草河 車) or “Chong Lou” (重樓). The rhizome of another species, Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz., which is listed in the C.P., is also used as Chong Lou (Rhizoma Paridis). The sources of Quan Shen and Chong Lou are very different, thus differentiation should be carefully made during application.

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