This product is the root of the deciduous shrub Dichroa (Dichroa febrifuga L.) from the Saxifragaceae family. It is primarily produced in provinces south of the Yangtze River, as well as in Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and other regions. It is harvested in autumn, dried in the sun, and used either sliced raw or stir-fried with wine.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, cold, toxic. Act on lung, heart and liver meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Expelling phlegm and saliva, preventing the onset of malaria.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for extreme fluid accumulation in the chest. Dichroa is used raw, with a nature that excels in ascending and inducing vomiting. In the Qianjin Fang, Dichroa is combined with Liquorice Root, decocted with water and taken warm with honey to induce vomiting of tenacious phlegm and accumulated fluids in the chest. However, this method is rarely used today.
2. Used for malaria. This herb can dispel phlegm and prevent malaria attacks. It is suitable for various types of malaria, especially effective in treating tertian malaria and quartan malaria. It is often used with Caoguo, Magnolia Bark, Areca Seed, etc., such as in the Malaria-Truncating Seven-Treasure Decoction. Due to its side effect of inducing vomiting, it is advisable to stir-fry it with wine and combine it with Dried Tangerine Peel, Pinellia, etc., to reduce gastrointestinal reactions.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Main cold-damage disease, cold and heat, but also causes warm malaria... chest congestion, vomiting."
2. Yaoxing Lun: "Treats various malaria, induces vomiting." After the yang phase, if used appropriately, miraculous effects are immediately seen; if the method is misused, guest qi will definitely be harmed. Dichroa, Dichroa Twig and Leaf, when used raw, will ascend and cause vomiting; when steamed with wine and stir-fried until cooked, the qi is slightly milder, and even a small amount will not cause vomiting."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 4.5-9g; reduce dosage when used in pills or powders. Use raw for inducing vomiting, and wine-processed for preventing malaria attacks. For malaria treatment, take half a day or 2 hours before the onset of chills and fever.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Due to its emetic properties, the dosage should not be excessive, and it is not suitable for those with a weak constitution or pregnant women.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product mainly contains Dichroa alkaloids A, B, and C, and also contains Dichroa subalkaloids and umbelliferone. The alkaloids in Dichroa have a strong inhibitory effect on malaria parasites. Among them, Dichroa alkaloid C has the strongest antimalarial effect, approximately 100 times that of quinine; Dichroa alkaloid B is next, about 50 times that of quinine; and Dichroa alkaloid A is the weakest, roughly equivalent to quinine. Dichroa alkaloid B has anti-amoebic and emetic effects, with the emetic effect primarily caused by reflex stimulation of the vagus and sympathetic nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract. Dichroa decoction has an antipyretic effect on artificially induced fever in rabbits. Dichroa alkaloids have a hypotensive effect. The aqueous extract of Dichroa has an inhibitory effect on the influenza virus. Dichroa alkaloid B has a significant toxic effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Dichroa alkaloids are toxic, with poisoning mainly manifested as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and congestion and bleeding of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

bubble_chart Supplementary Medicinals

Dichroa Twig and Leaf: This product is the dried young branches and leaves of the Saxifragaceae plant Dichroa (Dichroa febrifuga Lour.). It has a slightly bitter taste, can eliminate phlegm, prevent malaria, and reduce abdominal masses.