Dipsaci Radix
Aliases：Chuān Duàn (Sichuan Dipsacus); Lóng Dòu (Dragon Bean); Jiē Gǔ (Bone-connecting); Nán Cǎo (Southern Herb); Jiē Gǔ Cǎo (Bone-connecting Herb); Shān Luó Bo (Mountain Radish); Chuān Luó Bo Gēn (Sichuan Radish Root); Xiǎo Xù Duàn (Small Dipsacus); Běi Xù Duàn (Northern Dipsacus); Gǔ Chuí Cǎo (Drumstick Herb); Hé Shàng Tóu (Monk‘s Head).
Xù Duàn is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root of Dipsacus asper Wall. ex Henry, a plant of the family Dipsacaceae. It is named for its ability to “mend fractured bones and reconnect sinews.”
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies the liver and kidneys, mends tendons and strengthens bones, and promotes blood circulation to unblock blood vessels.
Indications
Primarily used for liver-kidney deficiency with soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees; rheumatic arthralgia; traumatic injuries; tendon and bone fractures; metrorrhagia and metrostaxis; and threatened miscarriage (fetal irritability with spotting).
Modern Pharmacology
Bone protection: Protects chondrocytes, inhibits inflammatory factors, promotes chondrocyte proliferation; asperosaponin Ⅵ promotes fracture repair; used for osteoarthritis. Prevention of recurrent miscarriage: Prevents recurrent spontaneous abortion. Anti-osteoporosis: The herb pair Xuduan-Duzhong promotes osteoporotic fracture healing by regulating interactions between bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and vascular endothelial cells. Neuroprotection and hepatoprotection: Exhibits neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. Anti-aging and antioxidant: Possesses anti-aging and antioxidant activities. Antitumor: Exhibits certain antitumor effects. Processing effects: Salt-processed Xuduan shows better efficacy for kidney yang deficiency; processing enhances analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant effects.
Ingredients
Triterpenoid Saponins: Such as asperosaponin Ⅵ, dipsacus saponin B, etc. Iridoids: Such as loganin, sweroside, etc. Alkaloids. Phenolic Acids. Volatile Oils. Others: Also contains lignans and other components.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 9–15g. May also be prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount of fresh herb, mashed for external application. Processed Varieties: Wine-processed Xù Duàn (Jiǔ Xù Duàn): Mostly used for rheumatic arthralgia and traumatic injuries. Salt-processed Xù Duàn (Yán Xù Duàn): Mostly used for soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess. Contraindicated in patients in the early stage of diarrhea or dysentery. Contraindicated in patients with qi stagnation due to anger or depression. Incompatible with Omphalia (Léi Wán): It should not be used together with Omphalia. Not suitable for patients with externally-contracted warm-heat diseases.
Selected Formulas
For kidney yang deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, and enuresis (Jifeng Puji Fang, Lurong Xuduan San) Take Xuduan (Dipsacus) with Lurong (Deer horn), Roucongrong (Cistanche), and Tusizi (Cuscuta seed). Make into powder and take. For impotence and spermatorrhea (Waitai Miyao, Yuanzhi Wan) Take Xuduan with Yuanzhi (Polygala), Shechuangzi (Cnidium), and Shanyao (Chinese yam). Make into pills and take. For incontinence and seminal leakage (Ruizhutang Jingyan Fang, Suojing Wan) Take Xuduan with Longgu (Dragon bone) and Fuling (Poria). Make into pills and take. For liver-kidney deficiency with low back and knee pain (Zhengzhi Zhunsheng, Xuduan Dan) Take Xuduan with Bixie (Dioscorea), Duzhong (Eucommia), and Niuxi (Achyranthes). Make into pills and take. For liver-kidney deficiency with wind-cold-dampness bi pain (Heji Ju Fang, Xuduan Wan) Take Xuduan with Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia) and Chuanwu (Aconite). Make into pills and take. For liver-kidney deficiency with metrorrhagia and threatened miscarriage (Yonglei Qianfang) Take Xuduan with Cebaicarbon (Charred Platycladus leaves), Danggui (Angelica), and Aiye (Mugwort). Decoct in water and drink. For habitual miscarriage (Yixue Zhongzhong Canxi Lu, Shoutai Wan) Take Xuduan with Sangjisheng (Taxillus) and Ejiao (Donkey-hide gelatin). Make into pills and take. For traumatic injury with blood stasis, swelling, and fracture (empirical formula) Take Xuduan with Taoren (Peach kernel), Honghua (Safflower), Chuanshanjia (substitute), and Sumu (Sappan wood). Decoct in water or make into powder and take. For post-fracture weakness and contracture pain in the legs and knees (Saijindan, Qiuzu Shenjin Dan) Take Xuduan with Danggui, Mugua (Chaenomeles), and Huangqi (Astragalus). Make into pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Xù Duàn Tea: It may be steeped in hot water together with black tea and consumed as a drink. It is suitable for symptoms such as lower back pain and weakness of the legs and knees due to kidney deficiency.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Storage: Should be stored in a dedicated warehouse that is dry and well-ventilated, at room temperature or low temperature. Container: Store in a dry container. Environment: Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects. Precautions: Shelves should be placed at a distance from walls and stored off the floor. Xù Duàn (Dipsacus Root) with a moisture content exceeding 10% should not be stored in the warehouse. Wine-processed Xù Duàn (Jiǔ Xù Duàn) and salt-processed Xù Duàn (Yán Xù Duàn) should be stored in airtight containers.
