Originating from Benjing Fengyuan, it is the vine stem or leafy vine stem of the Polygonaceae plant Fleeceflower (Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.), a dicotyledonous medicinal plant. It is mainly produced in Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other regions. The leafy vine stems are harvested in summer and autumn. However, the commercial product mostly uses vine stems, which are cut after the leaves fall in autumn, removing thin branches and residual leaves, cut into sections about 70 cm long, bundled, and dried in the sun.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet and slightly bitter, neutral.
Bencao Zaixin: "bitter, warm, nontoxic."
Yinpian Xincan: "bitter , astrigent and slightly sweet."
Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine: "neutral, sweet."

act on heart, spleen, kidney and liver channels.
Bencao Zaixin: "act on heart and spleen channels."
Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica : "Act on liver and kidney channels."

bubble_chart Efficacy

Nourish the heart, calm the mind, unblock the meridians, and dispel wind.

bubble_chart Indications

Treats insomnia, fatigue injury, profuse sweating, blood deficiency body pain, Yongju, scrofula, wind sores and scabies. Combined with Sour Jujube, nourishes heart yin and calms the mind; combined with Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, nourishes blood and tonifies yin; combined with Asparagus Root and Ophiopogon Tuber, clears deficient fire and nourishes heart yin; combined with Notopterygium and Pubescent Angelica, expels wind and eliminates dampness, soothes and benefits the joints.

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Rinse with clean water, soak briefly, remove, moisten thoroughly, then cut into sections and dry in the sun. For internal use: decoct in water, 2-4 qian. For external use: decoct in water for washing or mash and apply topically.

Those with excessive internal heat should avoid taking it.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

The stem contains anthraquinones, mainly Rhubarb Rhizoma (Emodin), Rhubarb Rhizoma phenol (Chrysophanic acid, Chrysophanol), or Rhubarb Rhizoma methyl ether (Emodinmono methyl ether), all existing in a combined form. The stems and leaves contain various flavonoids, including luteolin-5-O-xyloside. They also contain anthraquinone compounds, from which Rhubarb Rhizoma, Rhubarb Rhizoma methyl ether, and Rhubarb Rhizoma-8-O-5-O-xyloside (luteolin-5-O-xyloside) have been isolated. Additionally, they contain β-sitosterol. Preliminary tests also indicate the presence of stilbenes and tannins.