Physochlainae Radix
Aliases：Rè Shēn (literally "Hot Ginseng"), Qín Shēn (literally "Qin Ginseng"), Èr Yuè Wàng (literally "February Flourishing"), Bái Máo Shēn (literally "White‑Haired Ginseng"), Dà Zǐ Shēn (literally "Large Purple Ginseng"), Dà Hóng Shēn (literally "Large Red Ginseng"), and Huà Shān Rén Shēn (literally "Huashan Ginseng"). (These are all alternative names for Huà Shān Shēn, i.e., Funneled Physochlaina Root / Physochlaina infundibularis.)
Huà Shān Shēn (Huashanshen) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried root of Physochlaina infundibularis Kuang, a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae. It grows in valleys, on grassy slopes, or under forests at altitudes of 400 to 1,600 meters. It was first recorded in Shaanxi Zhongcaoyao (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine).
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the Lung, eliminates phlegm, relieves wheezing and cough, calms the mind, and subdues convulsions.
Indications
Cold‑phlegm wheezing and cough: Used for wheezing and cough due to cold‑phlegm congesting the Lung, characterized by copious, clear, thin sputum. Palpitations and insomnia: Used for restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia due to phlegm‑turbidity disturbing the Heart. Deficiency‑type phlegm wheezing and cold cough: Clinically often used for chronic, long‑standing cough and asthma. Deficiency‑cold diarrhea.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects: Huashanshen exhibits antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects. Scopoletin, one of its constituents, has been shown to increase phenol red secretion, reduce sputum viscosity, and decrease the number of neutrophils in sputum, suggesting expectorant activity. Its powder and crude extract (total alkaloids of "Re Shen") also exhibit antiasthmatic effects. Huashanshen has anticholinergic activity, which relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and relieves bronchospasm. Anti‑inflammatory effects: Modern research has isolated 15 compounds from Huashanshen and confirmed their in vitro anti‑inflammatory activity. Effects on the central nervous system: The decoction of Huashanshen significantly reduces the locomotor activity of rats and mice and counteracts the stimulant effects induced by caffeine and amphetamine in mice, which may be related to its sedative and anticonvulsant effects. Efficacy‑associated substances: Studies have found that four components of Huashanshen—hyoscyamine, anisodamine, scopolin (scopoletin‑7‑glucoside), and scopoletin—are closely associated with its antitussive and antiasthmatic efficacy.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Scopoletin (also known as 7‑hydroxy‑6‑methoxycoumarin / esculetin‑6‑methyl ether), hyoscyamine, scopolamine (hyoscine), solanidine, anisodamine, atropine, apoatropine, etc. Coumarins: Scopoletin and scopolin (scopoletin‑7‑glucoside) are active components used in the treatment of bronchitis. Other components: Amino acids, polysaccharides, reducing sugars, sterols, starch, etc.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 0.1–0.2 g.
Contraindications
Should not be taken in large amounts to avoid poisoning. Contraindicated in patients with glaucoma. Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with severe prostatic hypertrophy. Avoid contact with iron tools, and avoid concurrent use with Wulingzhi (Trogopterus feces), Zaojia (Gleditsia), Heidou (black soybean), brine, and Lilu (Veratrum), etc.
Selected Formulas
For cold cough with phlegm-wheezing due to debility (empirical formula) Take 0.9g of Huashan Shen (a local herb), 9g of Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus), 3g of Gancao (Licorice), and 3g of rock sugar. Decoct in water and drink. For deficiency-cold diarrhea and insomnia (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 0.9g (3 fen) of Huashan Shen, 15g (5 qian) of Longan flesh, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Decoct in water and drink.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried root of Physochlaina infundibularis Kuang, a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.
