Uvaria macrophylla Roxb. var. microcarpa (Champ.) Finet et Gagnep.
Aliases：Yóu Zhuī (Oil Cone), Xiāng Jiāo (Banana), Jiǔ Bǐng Zǐ (Wine Cake Seed), Niú Dāo Shù (Ox Knife Tree), Niú Rěn Zǐ (Ox Berry Seed), Niú Tóu Luó (Ox Head Basket), Jiǔ Bǐng Pó (Wine Cake Woman), Jiǔ Bǐng Mù (Wine Cake Wood), Shí Bā Fēng Téng (Eighteen Wind Vine), Jiāo Téng (Banana Vine), Shí Lóng Yè (Stone Dragon Leaf), Shān Bā Dòu (Mountain Bean), Yóu Zhuī (Oil Cone), Yóu Bǐng Mù (Oil Cake Wood).
Zǐ Yù Pán is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root and leaf of Uvaria macrophylla Roxb. var. microcarpa (Champ.) Finet et Gagnep., a plant belonging to the genus Uvaria of the family Annonaceae. This plant is an erect shrub, about 2 meters tall, with spreading branches; young branches, young leaves, petioles, pedicels, bracts, sepals, petals, carpels, and fruits are covered with yellow stellate hairs, becoming glabrous or nearly so with age. The leaves are leathery, obovate-oblong or oblong-elliptic, 10–23 cm long and 5–11 cm wide. The flowers are 1–2, opposite the leaves, dark purplish-red or pale reddish-brown, 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter. The fruit is ovoid or shortly cylindrical, dark purplish-brown. It flowers from March to August, and fruits from July to March of the following year.
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the stomach and promotes Qi flow; dispels wind and relieves pain.
Indications
Indicated for indigestion, abdominal distension and diarrhea, traumatic injuries, and lower back and leg pain. It may also be used for wind-dampness arthralgia, cough with profuse phlegm, and other conditions. Guangdong Chinese Veterinary Commonly Used Herbal Medicine records: "Promotes Qi flow, resolves Qi stagnation, treats cattle bloat. Dispels wind, relieves pain, treats traumatic injuries. Externally applied for snakebites and wound necrosis. Strengthens the stomach and promotes rumination."
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: Zǐ Yù Pán contains annonaceous acetogenins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, which exhibit cytotoxic and antitumor activities. Polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, especially cyclohexenones, possess strong antitumor activity. In vitro antitumor studies on the active fractions of Zǐ Yù Pán have demonstrated its pharmacologically active material basis for antitumor effects. Antiviral effects: Chemical constituent studies on related species such as Uvaria lissophylla, Uvaria grandiflora, and Uvaria macrophylla suggest that the genus Uvaria contains compounds including uvaria oxides and tannins with antiviral activity. Antibacterial effects: Zǐ Yù Pán exhibits antibacterial activity.
Ingredients
Annonaceous acetogenins. Alkaloids. Flavonoids. Polyoxygenated cyclohexenes. Tannins. Tribenzylflavanones.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: Root: Decoct in water, 15–21 g (5–7 qián). Leaf: Decoct in water, 9–15 g (3–5 qián). For external use: Apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
Pregnant women and those with weak constitutions should use under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For traumatic injuries and lower back and leg pain (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15–21g of Ziyupan (Uvaria microcarpa) root, decoct in water and drink; or take an appropriate amount of fresh leaves, crush and apply externally to the affected area. For dyspepsia, abdominal distension, and diarrhea (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15–21g of Ziyupan root, decoct in water and drink.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root and leaf.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
