Inula racemosa Hook.f.
Aliases：Zàng Mù Xiāng (Tibetan Elecampane), Qīng Mù Xiāng (Green Elecampane), Qí Mù Xiāng (Qi Elecampane), Mā Nú (Tibetan name), Yǐ Mù Xiāng (misused name), Mù Xiāng (from Mary’s Plant List).
Zǒng Zhuàng Tǔ Mù Xiāng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the root of Inula racemosa Hook.f., a plant belonging to the family Compositae (Asteraceae). This plant is a perennial herb, covered with hairs throughout. The rhizome is tuberous, and the stem is 60–200 cm tall. Basal leaves are clustered with long petioles and serrate margins; stem leaves are smaller and nearly sessile. The capitula are arranged in racemes, with yellow ray florets. It flowers from June to July and fruits from July to September. This herb is also widely used in Tibetan medicine, known as “Mā Nú” in Tibetan and “Zàng Mù Xiāng” (Tibetan Elecampane) in Tibetan medicinal terminology.
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach; regulates Qi and relieves depression; relieves pain and calms the fetus.
Indications
Indicated for pain in the chest, hypochondrium, and epigastrium, vomiting and diarrhea, contusions of the chest and hypochondrium, sudden pain from Qi stagnation, and fetal irritability.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: Alantolactone-type compounds exhibit antitumor activity. Inula racemosa is a rich source of eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones, such as alantolactone and isoalantolactone, which have antitumor activity. Anti-inflammatory effects: The extract of Inula racemosa can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the abundant sesquiterpene lactone isoalantolactone (IAL) is the main bioactive component. Some compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Antibacterial effects: Alantolactone has inhibitory effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro studies have shown inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli. Antifungal effects. Anthelmintic effects: Exhibits anthelmintic activity. Insecticidal effects.
Ingredients
This product contains inulin and volatile oil. The main components of the oil are alantolactone, isoalantolactone, dihydroisoalantolactone, alantolic acid, alantol, and triterpenoids such as damaradienyl acetate, germacrene D lactone, and 1-deoxy-8-epi-ivaxillarin, among others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g; or take in pills or powders.
Contraindications
A prescription should be obtained from a qualified TCM practitioner at a regular TCM hospital after proper syndrome differentiation. If other medications are needed during the treatment period, consult a physician or pharmacist first. Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding women should inform their physician of their physiological status before use, so that the physician can assess the safety. Excessive use should be avoided—overdose may cause toxic reactions such as limb pain and vomiting.
Selected Formulas
For pain in the chest, hypochondrium, epigastrium, and abdomen (empirical formula) Take 3–9g of Zongzhuang Tumuxiang (Inula racemosa), decoct in water and drink, or use in pills or powder. For stifling pain due to qi stagnation (empirical formula) Take Zongzhuang Tumuxiang alone, decoct in water and drink; or combine with other herbs that regulate qi and relieve pain. For threatened miscarriage (empirical formula) Take Zongzhuang Tumuxiang together with herbs that nourish blood and calm the fetus.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
