Rumex patientia L. / Rumex crispus L.
Aliases：Jiù Mìng Wáng (Life-Saving King), Xuè Sān Qī (Blood Notoginseng), Niú Dà Huáng (Cow Rhubarb), Jīn Bù Huàn (Not Exchangeable for Gold), Luó Bo Qí (Radish Wonder), Hóng Jīn Dà Huáng (Red-Veined Rhubarb), Jiàn Tóu Cǎo (Arrowhead Grass), Guǎng Jiǎo (Broad Horn), Yě Hāo Mǎi (Wild Artemisia), Xuǎn Yào (Ringworm Medicine), Tiě Pú Shàn (Iron Fan), Bāo Jīn Lián (Gold-Wrapped Lotus), Huà Xuè Lián (Blood-Transforming Lotus), Tǔ Sān Qī (Earth Notoginseng), Xuè Dāng Guī (Blood Angelica), Tǔ Xuè Cǎo (Blood-Vomiting Herb), Zhǐ Xuè Cǎo (Blood-Stopping Herb), Dà Yūn Yào (Great Dizziness Herb), Xiān Dà Huáng (Fresh Rhubarb).
Tǔ Dà Huáng (Dock Root) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root of Rumex patientia L. or Rumex crispus L., plants belonging to the Polygonaceae family. It is commonly known as “Cow Ear Rhubarb” due to the broad, cow-ear-like shape of its leaves.
Efficacy & Actions
Cools blood to stop bleeding, kills parasites, and relieves constipation.
Indications
Used for epistaxis (nosebleeds), hemoptysis, bloody stool, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, and other bleeding conditions due to blood heat; also for scabies, tinea, and pruritus; and for constipation due to heat accumulation.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern studies indicate that Tǔ Dà Huáng has hemostatic properties and is used in hemostatic Chinese patent medicines. Extracts also demonstrate antimicrobial activity in some topical preparations. Specific active components and mechanisms require further research.
Ingredients
ǔ Dà Huáng primarily contains anthraquinones (such as emodin and chrysophanol), tannins, flavonoids, and various organic acids. Specific active ingredients are still under investigation.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard clinical dosage is 9–15g. The specific dosage should be individualized based on the patient's condition and constitution, strictly following a physician's prescription. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for fumigation and washing, or mashed for external application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold: As the herb is cool in nature and has a laxative effect, it may cause adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea in such individuals. Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For Hemoptysis Due to Overexertion (from Experimental Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine) Take 21–30g of fresh root and leaves of Jīn Bù Huàn (Tǔ Dà Huáng), 9g of Lily Bulb (Bǎi Hé), and 30g of Rock Sugar (Bīng Táng). Decoct in water and take orally. For Hemoptysis from Cough or Traumatic Injury (from Experimental Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine) Take 15–21g of Jīn Bù Huàn (Tǔ Dà Huáng), finely mince it with lean pork, shape into a meat patty, and steam-cook over water until done. Consume as food. For Psoriasis (External Application Formula from Henan Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook) Take equal parts of Tǔ Dà Huáng leaves and brown sugar. Mash together into a paste and apply to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
Tǔ Dà Huáng Infusion: Take an appropriate amount of Tǔ Dà Huáng root, wash, slice, and steep in boiling water before drinking. Dosage should be controlled; long-term or excessive use is not recommended.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.