This product is the root bark of the plant Periploca sepium (Periploca sepium Bge.) from the Asclepiadaceae family. It is mainly produced in the provinces of Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. It can be harvested in both spring and autumn. While fresh, it is beaten with a wooden stick to separate the root bark from the woody part, the woody core is removed, and the bark is dried in the shade or sun, and used raw.

According to ancient materia medica, Acanthopanax Bark is derived from the root bark of plants from the Araliaceae family, such as Acanthopanax gracilistylus and several other species of the same genus, like Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, commonly referred to as "sessileflower acanthopanax bark." Additionally, the stem bark of Araliaceae plants such as Acanthopanax henryi (produced in Sichuan) and Acanthopanax giraldii (produced in Yunnan) is also used as "red-haired Acanthopanax Bark" and is similarly used as sessileflower acanthopanax bark. However, the Acanthopanax Bark commonly used in most regions of the country today is the root bark of Periploca sepium from the Asclepiadaceae family, commonly referred to as Chinese Silkvine Root-bark. The 1977 edition of the Pharmacopoeia designated it as Chinese Silkvine Root-bark. The southern and Chinese Silkvine Root-bark belong to different families and genera, and their effects are also different, so they should be used distinctly. Sessileflower acanthopanax bark is non-toxic, tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens bones and muscles, and has good effects in dispelling wind and dampness. Chinese Silkvine Root-bark has cardiotonic and diuretic effects, is toxic, and therefore should not be confused in clinical use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, slightly warm. toxic. act on liver, kidney and heart channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Promotes urination and reduces swelling, dispels wind-dampness, and strengthens tendons and bones.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for edema and dysuria. This product has the effect of unblocking water and dispersing edema. It is generally used alone or in combination with Dried Tangerine Peel, Areca Peel, tuckahoe peel, etc., to enhance the diuretic and anti-edema effects.
2. Used for wind-dampness Bi disease. This product has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, and strengthening bones and muscles. Therefore, for joint contracture and pain, or soft and delayed movement of bones and muscles, it is often used with ningpo yam rhizome, Floweringqince Fruit, Achyranthes Root, etc., to achieve the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, relaxing sinews, and activating collaterals.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica: "Analgesic, eliminates wind-dampness, treats wind-dampness bi, cramps in the feet and knees, pain in the sinews and bones."
2. "Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia-Qinghai Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection": "Dispels wind-dampness, strengthens sinews and bones, fortifies the waist and knees."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 3-6g. Soak in wine or use in pills and powders, as appropriate.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

This product has cardiotonic and diuretic effects, is toxic, and should not be used excessively.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

The stem bark and root bark of Eleutherococcus senticosus contain more than ten glycoside compounds, the most important of which are the cardiac glycoside periplocin and the saponin periplocoside. Additionally, they contain 4-methoxysalicylaldehyde and its glucoside, among others. These compounds have cardiotonic and diuretic effects. Moreover, periploca bark also has anthelmintic properties. Overdose of cardiac glycosides can cause arrhythmia and even death.