This product is the root bark of the deciduous shrub Acanthopanax gracilistylus (Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith) from the Araliaceae family. It is primarily produced in Hubei, Henan, Anhui, and other regions. It is harvested in summer and autumn, with the root bark peeled off, dried, and cut into thick slices for use.

According to ancient materia medica records, Acanthopanax Bark is derived from plants of the Araliaceae family. The root bark of other plants in the same family, such as A. sessiliflorus (A. sessiliflorus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Seem.), Manyprickle Acanthopanax (A. senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms.), and A. henry (A. henry (Oliv.) Harms.), is also used as Acanthopanax Bark. However, the Acanthopanax Bark used in modern times is divided into sessileflower acanthopanax bark and Chinese Silkvine Root-bark. Sessileflower acanthopanax bark comes from the Araliaceae family, while Chinese Silkvine Root-bark is the root bark of Periploca sepium (Periploca sepium Bge.) from the Asclepiadaceae family, commonly known as fragrant Acanthopanax. It is now designated as Chinese Silkvine Root-bark in the pharmacopoeia.

The two types of bark, sessileflower acanthopanax bark and Chinese Silkvine Root-bark, belong to different families and have different effects, so they should be used selectively. Sessileflower acanthopanax bark is non-toxic and is particularly effective in tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening bones and muscles. Chinese Silkvine Root-bark is toxic and can strengthen the heart, promote diuresis, and relieve pain. However, it should not be taken in excessive amounts or for prolonged periods to avoid cumulative toxicity.

Acrid and bitter, warm. Act on liver and kidney meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dispels wind and dampness, strengthens tendons and bones, promotes diuresis.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for wind-dampness bi pain, and stiffness and spasm of the limbs. This product is acrid and dispersing, bitter and draining, capable of dispelling wind-dampness and unblocking the meridians. For treating wind-dampness bi pain, tendon and vessel spasms, and difficulty in flexion and extension, it can be used alone by soaking in wine, such as Acanthopanax Bark wine. It can also be combined with Floweringqince Fruit, Knotty Pine Wood, and other medicinals, as in the "Shen's Zunsheng" Acanthopanax Bark powder.
2. Used for liver and kidney deficiency, weak waist and knees, and delayed walking in children. This product can tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen the tendons and bones. For treating weak waist and knees, it is often used with Achyranthes Root, Eucommia Bark, Epimedium Herb, and other herbs; for treating delayed walking in children, it can be combined with Tortoise Carapace, Achyranthes Root, Floweringqince Fruit, and other herbs, as in the Baoying Cuoyao Acanthopanax Bark powder.
3. Used for edema and difficulty in urination. This product has a diuretic effect and is used to treat edema, often combined with tuckahoe peel, Dried Tangerine Peel, Areca Peel, and others, as in the Five-Peel Decoction.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "For heart and abdominal hyperthyroidism and abdominal pain, tonifying qi to treat ailments, children unable to walk, and sores such as pudendal sores."
2. Bencao Jingshu: "The scripture says, those injured by dampness are first affected in the lower parts. It also says that the dampness of the earth, when felt, harms the skin, flesh, tendons, and vessels. The liver and kidneys are located in the lower part and govern the tendons and bones, hence the evils of wind-cold and dampness are mostly first received by these two meridians. This medicine is pungent and can disperse wind, warm and can eliminate cold, bitter and can dry dampness. The two viscera receive its qi and all symptoms are cured."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 5-15g.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Sessileflower acanthopanax bark contains volatile oil, tannins, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and vitamins A, B₁. The roots of sessileflower acanthopanax contain lignan glycosides, and the roots of Manyprickle Acanthopanax contain various glycosides

• . Sessileflower acanthopanax bark has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
• . Manyprickle Acanthopanax has anti-fatigue effects, and its extract has a stronger stimulating effect than Ginseng, enhancing the inhibitory function of the cerebral cortex, improving the body's disease resistance, protecting against radiation injury, and having significant anti-stress effects
• . It can enhance the body's immune function
• , regulate blood pressure to restore it to normal levels
• , stimulate the gonads and adrenal glands, accelerate glycogen formation in the body, and lower blood sugar
• . It has anti-diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, with some inhibitory effects on tumors and pain
• . It also has phlegm-dispelling and antitussive effects
• . Sessileflower acanthopanax bark has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa