This product is the bark of the deciduous tree Eucommia Bark (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) from the Eucommia Bark family. It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hubei, and other regions. The bark is harvested from April to June, the rough outer layer is scraped off, and it is then piled up to "sweat" until the inner bark turns purplish-brown, after which it is dried in the sun. It is cut into pieces or strips and used either raw or processed with saltwater.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, warm. Act on liver and kidney meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Nourish the liver and kidneys, strengthen bones and tendons, calm the fetus.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for soreness and pain in the lower back and knees due to liver and kidney deficiency, wilting impediment, softness, and impotence, frequent urination, etc. It can tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen the tendons and bones, and warm the lower yuan. For treating lumbago and weak feet, it is often combined with Psoralea, walnut kernel, such as in Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang Young Maid Pill; for treating impotence and frequent urination, it can be used with Cornus Fruit, Dodder Seed, palmleaf raspberry fruit, etc.
2. Used for liver and kidney deficiency, cold lower yuan, pregnancy bleeding, threatened abortion, or habitual late abortion, etc. It can tonify the liver and kidneys, regulate the Chong and Ren meridians, and stabilize the fetus. For treating lumbago and a sensation of falling during pregnancy, it can be combined with Dipsacus ground into powder, jujube meat to form pills, known as Zhengzhi Zhunsheng Eucommia Bark Pill. It can also be combined with Dipsacus, Dodder Seed, Donkey-hide Gelatin, etc.
3. Modern clinical use for hypertension has shown reliable blood pressure-lowering effects. For elderly patients with kidney deficiency and high blood pressure, it can be used with Epimedium Herb, Chinese Taxillus Herb, Achyranthes Root, etc.; if there is excessive liver yang or liver fire, it can be combined with Prunella, Chrysanthemum Flower, Skullcap Root, etc.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It governs pain in the lumbar spine, tonifies the middle, benefits essential qi, strengthens tendons and bones, enhances willpower, eliminates dampness and itching in the lower yin region, and relieves dribbling urination."
2. Bencao Huiyan: "For any deficiency in the lower energizer, Eucommia Bark is indispensable for tonification; for any dampness in the lower energizer, Eucommia Bark is indispensable for elimination; for soreness in the legs and shins, Eucommia Bark is indispensable for relief; for pain in the waist and knees, Eucommia Bark is indispensable for removal. ... It tonifies the liver and benefits the kidneys, truly an essential medicine."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 10-15g. Stir-frying enhances its efficacy compared to using it raw.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains Eucommia Bark gum, Eucommia Bark glycosides, rosin alcohol diglucoside, peach leaf coral glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, and other compounds.

1. Eucommia Bark has a good antihypertensive effect and can reduce the absorption of cholesterol. The antihypertensive effect of fried Eucommia Bark is greater than that of raw Eucommia Bark, and the decoction of fried Eucommia Bark is better than the tincture. However, repeated administration can easily lead to tolerance.
2. It can weaken the autonomous contraction of the isolated uterus and counteract the effects of uterine contraction agents (acetylcholine, posterior pituitary hormone) to relieve spasms.
3. The decoction has a significant strengthening effect on the isolated heart of rabbits; it has a diuretic effect on dogs, rats, and mice; it also has a certain analgesic effect. Additionally, it can enhance the function of the adrenal cortex in animals, improve the body's immune function, and has a sedative effect.