Curcumae Radix
Aliases：Ma Shu、Wu Di Zu、Huang Yu、Wu Tou
Yujin (Curcumae Radix) is a Chinese medicinal herb that invigorates blood and moves qi. It is the dried tuberous root of Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen et C. Ling, Curcuma longa L., Curcuma kwangsiensis S.G. Lee et C.F. Liang, or Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. (family Zingiberaceae). Among these, C. wenyujin is traditionally called “Wen Yujin,” C. longa is called “Huangsi Yujin,” while the latter two are respectively known as “Gui Yujin” or “Lüsi Yujin” based on their appearance.
Efficacy & Actions
Activate blood to relieve pain, move qi to resolve depression, clear the heart and cool the blood, and benefit the gallbladder to treat jaundice.
Indications
Febrile disease with mental confusion、Stabbing pain in the hypochondrium、Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea、Breast distension and pain、Jaundice with dark reddish urine、Chest impediment and heart pain、Hematemesis and epistaxis due to blood heat、Epilepsy and mania
Modern Pharmacology
Yujin (Curcumae Radix) exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including: Hepatoprotective effects: Protects liver cells, promotes hepatocyte regeneration, reduces fat accumulation, and inhibits hepatic fibrosis; also counteracts toxic liver lesions. Choleretic effects: Curcumin and volatile oils promote bile secretion and excretion, and reduce urobilinogen in urine; the decoction also stimulates gastric acid and duodenal fluid secretion. Anticoagulant and blood viscosity‑reducing effects: The water decoction reduces whole blood viscosity and inhibits platelet aggregation; the alcohol extract lowers plasma fibrinogen levels. Antimicrobial effects: The water decoction and volatile oils inhibit various dermatophytes (skin fungi) and also suppress many bacteria, with stronger activity against Gram‑negative bacteria than against Gram‑positive bacteria. Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects: Exhibits certain anti‑inflammatory and pain‑relieving activities. Other effects: Additionally, Yujin has an anti‑implantation (anti‑early pregnancy) effect.
Ingredients
Yujin (Curcumae Radix) also contains starch, polysaccharides, fatty oils, rubber, and phellandrene. Its volatile oil primarily includes camphene, camphor, sesquiterpenes, etc. In addition, it contains curcumin and turmerone, among other components.
Usage & Dosage
Usual dosage: 5–12 g in decoction.
Contraindications
Contraindicated for: Pregnant women, women trying to conceive, and those with excessive menstrual flow during menstruation. Contraindicated for: Those with Yin deficiency with blazing fire (manifested as hot palms and soles, dry mouth and tongue), and those with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold (manifested as poor appetite and loose stools). Drug incompatibility: Should not be used together with cloves (Caryophylli Flos, Dingxiang) or mother cloves (Caryophylli Flos, Mudingxiang) – based on the “Nineteen Incompatibilities” (Shijiu Wei) theory. Use with caution in: Individuals with a bleeding tendency (e.g., gastric ulcer, thrombocytopenia)
Selected Formulas
1. For manic‑depressive disorders (mania / epilepsy): It can be combined with alum (Baifan) – as in Baijin Wan – to transform phlegm and open the orifices. 2. For pain patterns due to qi stagnation and blood stasis: It is combined with Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) – as in Diandao Mujin San – to enhance the effect of moving qi and relieving pain. 3. For stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium: It is combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), and Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) to soothe the liver and relieve depression. 4. For chest impediment and heart pain (angina pectoris): It is combined with Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou), Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (Xiebai), and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen) to relieve chest stuffiness and dissipate nodules. 5. For dysmenorrhea and breast distension/pain: It is combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) – as in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang. 6. For hematemesis and epistaxis due to blood heat: It is combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), and Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) – as in Shengdihuang Tang.
Daily Consumption
1. Yujin Tea 3–6 g of Yujin (Curcumae Radix), steep in boiling water for 10 minutes, drink as tea. Brown sugar may be added. Indicated for mild qi stagnation and blood stasis manifesting as chest stuffiness, hypochondriac pain, and premenstrual breast distension/pain. 2. Yujin Congee Decoct 10 g of Yujin to obtain the liquid, then cook with 50 g of japonica rice into congee. Add rock sugar. Indicated for vexation, irritability, chest stuffiness, hypochondriac pain, and dysmenorrhea. 3. Yujin and Lotus Leaf Congee 10 g of Yujin, 15 g of lotus leaf, 100 g of japonica rice. Decoct the lotus leaf and Yujin to obtain the liquid, then cook with the rice into congee. Indicated for summer‑heat and dampness with qi stagnation and blood stasis (symptoms: dizziness, chest stuffiness, poor appetite). 4. Yujin and Microcos Leaf Tea 6 g of Yujin, 10 g of Microcos leaf (Buzhaye – Microcos paniculata), steep in boiling water or decoct for 10 minutes, add honey. Indicated for food stagnation with qi stagnation, epigastric and abdominal distension and pain.
Medicinal Parts
tuberous root
Selection & Storage
Storage: Store in a cool, well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.