Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis
Aliases：Tiě Pí Fēng Dǒu, Fēng Dǒu, Ěr Huán Shí Hú, Hēi Jié Cǎo, Tiě Pí Lán, Yún Nán Tiě Pí.
Tiě Pí Shí Hú is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried stem of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, a plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae. It is named for the iron-green color of its stem epidermis. This herb is referred to in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) as "the supreme remedy for nourishing the Stomach and benefiting fluids," and is popularly known as the "life-saving immortal herb." It is both a precious traditional Chinese medicinal material and a popular ingredient in modern health preservation. Tiě Pí Shí Hú has been included in the list of "substances that are both food and medicinal materials according to traditional practice" (medicinal and edible dual-use). The plant is harvested from November to March of the following year. After impurities and some fibrous roots are removed, the stems are twisted into a spiral or spring shape while being heated, then dried—this product is commonly known as "Tiě Pí Fēng Dǒu" (Earring Dendrobium); alternatively, the stems are cut into sections and dried or dried at low temperature—this product is commonly known as "Tiě Pí Shí Hú".
Efficacy & Actions
Benefits the Stomach and promotes fluid production; nourishes Yin and clears heat.
Indications
Indicated for fluid damage due to febrile diseases, dry mouth and excessive thirst, Stomach Yin deficiency with poor appetite and dry heaving, persistent deficiency heat after illness, Yin deficiency with fire excess, steaming bone disorder with fatigue fever, blurred vision, and weak sinews and bones. It may also be used for internal heat with thirst, kidney deficiency with blurred vision, and weakness of the lower back and knees.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Tiě Pí Shí Hú exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, including immune enhancement, antitumor, anti-aging, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, gastrointestinal regulation, hepatoprotective, and anti-fatigue activities. Polysaccharides enhance immune function. Chrysotoxene and erianin have been shown to inhibit the activity of liver cancer and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Tiě Pí Shí Hú flower also has certain blood pressure-lowering effects and positively regulates vascular status and blood circulation. Dendrobium polysaccharides exhibit multiple physiological activities, including immunomodulation, antitumor effects, hypoglycemic effects, antioxidant effects, and regulation of intestinal flora. Clinically, it is commonly used in the treatment of chronic gastric diseases, acute febrile conditions, and as adjunctive therapy for malignant tumors.
Ingredients
Tiě Pí Shí Hú contains a variety of active constituents, primarily including polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids and trace elements, bibenzyls and phenanthrenes, as well as flavonoids. Polysaccharides are one of the main active components of Tiě Pí Shí Hú. Alkaloids include dendrobine, dendroxine, and dendramine. Phenanthrene compounds include chrysotoxene and erianin. Amino acids include glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, and others. Trace elements include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and others. It also contains volatile oils and stilbenoids.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–12 g for dried products; 15–30 g for fresh products. Dried products should be added to the decoction first. May also be made into pills or powders.
Contraindications
As this herb is sweet and tonifying, it may retain pathogenic factors; therefore, it should not be used in the early stages of warm-febrile diseases. As it may promote dampness, it is contraindicated in cases of damp-warmth conditions that have not yet transformed into dryness. Those with stomach cold should avoid excessive consumption of Tiě Pí Shí Hú flower tea. It should not be used concomitantly with strongly heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs, as this may reduce its efficacy. Pregnant women and children should use under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For post-illness deficiency heat and thirst (Shi Bing Lun, Qingre Baojin Fa) Take 9g each of fresh Tiepi Shihu (Dendrobium officinale), Maidong (Ophiopogon), and Wuweizi (Schisandra). Decoct in water and drink as tea. For deficiency heat with irritability, thirst, and spleen-stomach weakness (empirical formula, Tiepi Shihu, Yam, and Lotus Seed Duck Soup) Soak Tiepi Shihu in water for 30 minutes in advance, soak Shanyao (Chinese yam) and Lianzi (Lotus seed) for 15 minutes, soak morel mushrooms in warm water for 5 minutes, cut duck meat into pieces and blanch. Place all ingredients in a clay pot and simmer to make soup. For stomach yin deficiency with dry mouth and throat (empirical formula) Take 6–12g of dried Tiepi Shihu (or 15–30g of fresh herb), decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Chewing: Take the dried Dendrobium, place it in the mouth, chew thoroughly, and swallow together with the residue. Tea: Steep in boiling water and drink. May be steeped repeatedly, and the residue may also be consumed. Decoction: Take 5–10 g of Dendrobium, add 300–500 ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Strain and drink the liquid. May be decocted repeatedly until tasteless; then remove the Dendrobium, chew it, and discard the residue. Soup: May be stewed with ingredients such as duck meat, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and morel mushrooms. Medicinal Wine: Tiě Pí Shí Hú may be soaked in white wine to make a medicinal wine for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried stem.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, and protect from moisture. Tiě Pí Fēng Dǒu, being processed into a spiral shape with a firm texture, is relatively resistant to deterioration; cut sections of Tiě Pí Shí Hú should be kept in sealed containers to avoid moisture and mold.
