Radix Ardisiae Gigantifoliae
Aliases：Dà Fā Yào (Great Hair Medicine), Zǒu Mǎ Fēng (Running Horse Wind), Shān Shǔ (Mountain Rat), Xuè Fēng (Blood Maple), Jiǔ Sī Mǎ (Nine-thread Horse), Mǎ Lù (Horse Road), Shān Zhū Yào (Wild Boar Medicine), Mǎ Tāi (Horse Placenta), Zǒu Mǎ Téng (Running Horse Vine), Dà Yè Zǐ Jīn Niú (Large-leaved Ardisia).
Zǒu Mǎ Tāi is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the root and rhizome of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf [also known as A. pseudoverticillata Merr.], a plant belonging to the genus Ardisia of the family Myrsinaceae. This plant is an evergreen small shrub, 1–3 meters tall, with a rhizome that is bead-like, swollen, and thick. The root is irregularly cylindrical, often swollen and bead-like in shape, 1.5–4 cm in diameter. The surface is greyish-brown to dark brown with fine or coarse longitudinal wrinkles, commonly known as “toad skin.” The bark is easily peeled off; when scraped, numerous purplish-red small pits, known as “blood pits,” can be seen. It is hard and difficult to break; the fractured surface is uneven, with a pale purplish-red cortex and a well-developed, whitish with a slight reddish tint, xylem. Zǒu Mǎ Tāi was first recorded in Shengcaoyao Xingbei Yao (Essentials of Medicinal Properties of Fresh Herbs).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind-dampness, activates blood circulation, relieves pain, removes toxic substances, promotes tissue regeneration, and strengthens the sinews and bones.
Indications
Indicated for wind-dampness arthralgia (rheumatic bone and muscle pain), traumatic injuries, postpartum blood stasis, and carbuncles and ulcers. It may also be used for hemiplegia, limb pain, and wind palsy with knee contracture (wind-induced paralysis and knee swelling). Shengcaoyao Xingbei Yao (Essentials of Medicinal Properties of Fresh Herbs) records that it “dispels wind-dampness, removes alcohol-induced illness, and treats wind-disease with rapid progression (acute arthritis with migratory pain)”; Bencao Qiuyuan (Original Quest of Materia Medica) records that it “strengthens the sinews and bones, and relieves fatigue”; Lingnan Caiyao Lu (Records of Lingnan Medicinal Herbs) records that it “treats traumatic injuries, relieves pain, and treats limb pain.”
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: The extract of Zǒu Mǎ Tāi can inhibit the activity of pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells by suppressing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, upregulating Bax, downregulating Bcl-2, inhibiting p65 phosphorylation, and promoting the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 to induce apoptosis. Extracts of Zǒu Mǎ Tāi also show certain inhibitory effects on various cancer cells, including gastric cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer. Anti-inflammatory effects: The petroleum ether extract of Zǒu Mǎ Tāi may exert anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects by improving the inflammatory state and ankle joint pathology in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats, suppressing immune responses, reducing oxidative damage, and downregulating the inflammatory mediator PGE2 expression. Antioxidant effects: Exhibits significant antioxidant activity. Antithrombotic effects.
Ingredients
Zǒu Mǎ Tāi contains a variety of chemical constituents. To date, compounds including phenols, quinones, sterols, coumarins, triterpenoids, volatile oils, and others have been isolated from it. Volatile oils: Twenty-two chemical components have been identified from the volatile oil extracted by steam distillation, among which the relative content of safrole is as high as 94.070%. Fifty-four chemical components have been identified using supercritical CO₂ extraction. Other components: It also contains triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, and ethers.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g; for fresh product, 30–60 g. May also be steeped in wine for consumption. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed for topical application to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated in children. Not suitable for patients with damp-heat patterns—those diagnosed with damp-heat syndrome should not use it. Avoid consuming with spicy foods such as chili and pepper during the medication period. Should be used after proper syndrome differentiation by a qualified TCM practitioner, and it is recommended to consult a regular TCM hospital.
Selected Formulas
For traumatic injuries and rheumatic bone pain (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 60g of Zoumatai (Ardisia gigantifolia) root, 90g each of Daluoshan (Ardisia hanceana) and Xiaoluoshan (Ardisia pusilla), and 120g each of Wuzhiniunai (Ficus hirta) and Tuniuxi (Achyranthes aspera). Soak in 1500ml of good wine for 3 days. Take 60g each morning and evening, and also apply the wine externally to the affected area. For joint pain (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 15g each of Zoumatai root, Tuniuxi root, and Wujiapi (Acanthopanax bark). Decoct with equal parts of water and wine and drink. For rheumatoid arthritis (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15g each of Zoumatai, Jinlübanfenghe (a local herb), and Wujiapi. Decoct with equal parts of water and wine and drink. For metrorrhagia in women (empirical formula) Take 30g of Zoumatai leaves and 60g of Guizhencao (Bidens pilosa). Decoct in water and drink. For carbuncles and ulcers (empirical formula) Take Zoumatai, grind into powder, and apply to the affected area. It promotes tissue regeneration, resolves toxicity, and helps close the wound.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion for oral administration: Zǒu Mǎ Tāi may be steeped in white wine to make a medicinal wine for moderate consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root and rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place.
