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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


ACHRYANTHES ROOT
aka Oxknee
(A. bidentata)
[HUAI NIU XI]
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CAUTION: NOT to be used during pregnancy - can cause cervical dilation.

PROPAGATION: A Chinese herb best grown in well-composted sandy, well-draining soil in partial shade. Propagate from seed.
HARVEST: Leaves and stems in summer and use to make tincture. The roots of one or two year old plants are harvested in fall and dried. Used for tincture, powder or in decoction.

USES

MEDICINAL:
Has been used in Chinese herbalism as part of a formula to treat blood deficiencies and hormone imbalances associated with chronic liver problems.
The compounded herbs are traditionally used to treat dysmenorrhea, hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism, infertility, immune deficiency, fatigue, lack of appetite, anemia, postpartum depression and pain, and loss of vision and hearing depending on the combined herbs used.
Contains bitter compounds which increase production of urine, relieve pain, lower blood pressure, decrease peristalsis, increase uterine contractions, promote menses.
Contains mucilagenous compounds that soothe inflamed tissue and increase mucosal fluid production.
Has been used to treat amenorrhea, backache, high blood pressure, muscle aches and dysuria.
Has been used for bloody urine, joint pain, nosebleeds and bleeding gums.

COMMENTS:
Has a reputation of being most suitable to ailments of the lower half of the body. The seeds of A. bidentata are used as a flour for breadmaking during periods of famine in India. The leaves of A. aspera are used as a vegetable and burned to produce a vegetable salt in parts of Asia.


©2000 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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