Acanthopanacis Cortex
Aliases：Nán Wǔ Jiā Pí (Southern Acanthopanax Bark); Wǔ Gǔ Pí (Five-Grain Bark); Hóng Wǔ Jiā Pí (Red Acanthopanax Bark); Wǔ Jiā (Five-Additive Herb).
Wǔ Jiā Pí (Acanthopanax Root-bark) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W.Smith, a plant of the Araliaceae family. It appears as irregularly rolled cylindrical pieces, with a grayish-brown outer surface and a pale yellow or grayish-yellow inner surface. It is light in weight, brittle in texture, with a faint aroma, and a slightly pungent and bitter taste.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness, tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, and promotes diuresis to reduce edema.
Indications
Used for rheumatic bi syndrome, weakness and flaccidity of sinews and bones, delayed walking development in children, physical weakness and fatigue, edema, and beriberi (edema of the feet). It is also used for lower back and knee pain, dampness and itching in the genital area, and traumatic injuries, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits paw edema, granuloma formation, and adjuvant arthritis. Analgesic and sedative: Possesses analgesic and sedative effects. Immunomodulatory: Increases serum antibody levels, enhances macrophage phagocytosis, and promotes lymphocyte proliferation. Anti-fatigue and antioxidant: Improves endurance and reduces free radical damage. Cardiovascular protection: Protects against myocardial ischemia and lowers blood pressure. Anti-stress: Enhances tolerance to adverse stimuli. Others: Antitumor, antimutagenic, anti-ulcer, hypoglycemic, hormone-like effects, and certain anti-rejection activity.
Ingredients
Glycosides: Syringin, eleutheroside B₁. Lignans: Pinoresinol, sesamin (dextrorotatory), etc. Volatile Oils: Contains various volatile oil components. Organic Acids: Stearic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, ethyl caffeate, etc. Terpenoids: Falcarindiol, oplopandiol, etc. Other Components: β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol glucoside, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, polysaccharides, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 6–9g (double the amount for fresh material); may also be steeped in wine, or prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for fumigation and washing, or ground into powder for application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess. As Wujiapi (Acanthopanax Root-bark) is warm in nature, it may aggravate symptoms such as dry mouth, tidal fever, and night sweats in such individuals. Use with caution during pregnancy: To avoid potential effects on fetal health. Use with caution in nursing mothers. Use with caution in individuals with allergies: Observe for any allergic reactions when using for the first time.
Selected Formulas
For wind-dampness bi with low back and knee pain, and sinew contracture (Bencao Gangmu, Wujiapi Jiu) Take Wujiapi (Acanthopanax root bark) alone or combined with Danggui (Angelica) and Niuxi (Achyranthes), soak in wine and drink. For wind-dampness bi with low back and knee pain, and sinew contracture (Shenshi Zunsheng Shu, Wujiapi San) Take Wujiapi with Mugua (Chaenomeles) and Songjie (Pine node). Make into powder and take. For liver-kidney deficiency with weakness of sinews and bones (Weisheng Jiabao, Wujiapi San) Take Wujiapi with Duzhong (Eucommia) and Niuxi. Make into powder and take. For delayed walking in children (Baoying Cuoyao, Wujiapi San) Take Wujiapi with Guijia (Turtle shell), Niuxi, and Mugua. Make into powder and take. For edema and difficult urination (Heji Ju Fang, Wupi San) Take Wujiapi with Fulingpi (Poria peel), Dafupi (Areca peel), Shengjiangpi (Ginger peel), and Digupi (Lycium root bark). Decoct in water and drink. For beriberi with swelling and pain due to wind-cold-dampness stagnation (Ruizhutang Jingyan Fang, Wujiapi Wan) Take Wujiapi with Yuanzhi (Polygala). Make into pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Wujiapi Wine: Take 60g of Wujiapi (Acanthopanax Root-bark), combine it with herbs such as Danggui (Angelica Root), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), and Duzhong (Eucommia Bark), and steep the mixture in white liquor for consumption. Take 10–30ml each time, twice daily, in the morning and evening. It helps dispel wind-dampness, tonify the liver and kidneys, and strengthen bones and tendons. Wujiapi Fermented Rice Wine: Take 50g of Wujiapi, 500g of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of wine starter (jiuqu). Decoct the Wujiapi in water twice, strain, and combine the liquids. Cook the glutinous rice with this liquid until it forms dry rice. After it cools, add the wine starter, mix well, and allow it to ferment. Consume an appropriate amount daily with meals. It helps unblock meridians and collaterals, and dispels dampness, wind, and cold.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root bark.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from mold and insects.
