Herba seu Rhizoma Stachydis Sieboldii+
Aliases：Pagoda Vegetable; Earth Silkworm; Cao Shi Can; Tu Ren Shen; Di Liu Zi; Tu Chong Cao; Di Gu Niu Cao; Di Niu; Screw Vegetable; Gan Lu Er; Luo Han Cai; Han Luo Si; Wo Er Cai; Di Lu; Tu Yong.
Ganluzi (Chinese Artichoke) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the whole plant or rhizome of Stachys sieboldii Miq., a plant in the family Lamiaceae. It grows in shaded and moist places by villages, fields, and ditches. It is recorded in Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica, Chinese Materia Medica, National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Releases the exterior and clears the Lungs; drains Dampness and removes toxin; fortifies the Spleen and supplements deficiency.
Indications
Wind-heat common cold; consumptive cough; jaundice; strangury (urinary tract infection); sores, carbuncles, and painful swellings; venomous snake bites.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effect: Polysaccharides from Chinese Artichoke exhibit significant inhibitory effects on liver cancer cells, bladder cancer cells, and other tumor cells. Antioxidant effect: Extracts of Chinese Artichoke possess antioxidant activity and can scavenge free radicals. Anti-fatigue effect: Modern studies indicate that Chinese Artichoke possesses anti-fatigue activity. Immunomodulatory and gut microbiota-regulating effects: Chinese Artichoke is rich in stachyose, which promotes the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the human digestive tract and inhibits harmful bacteria, thereby regulating the gut microbiota. Nasal mucosal epithelial cell protective effect: A study published in 2022 isolated multiple compounds from Chinese Artichoke, some of which increased the relative survival rate of nasal mucosal epithelial cells, demonstrating a protective effect on nasal mucosal epithelial cells.
Ingredients
Chinese Artichoke mainly contains the following active constituents: Organic constituents: Stachyose: present in relatively high content and is a characteristic constituent of Chinese Artichoke. Alkaloids: stachydrine, choline, and trigonelline. Amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Polysaccharides. Saponins. Tannins. Inorganic constituents: Potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and others. The aerial parts contain: Isoscutellarein 4′-methyl ether 7-O-β-(6′-O-acetyl-2′-allosyl)glucoside. Isoscutellarein 7-O-β-(6″-O-acetyl-2″-allosyl)glucoside. Syringin. The tubers contain: Stachysosides A, B, and C.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Whole plant 15–30 g; tubers 30–60 g, decocted in water; or steeped in alcohol; or dried and ground into powder. External use: Appropriate amount, decocted for washing or pounded for topical application.
Contraindications
Individuals with Spleen-Stomach weakness should not take it, because Chinese Artichoke has a relatively cool nature and may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. Pregnant women should not use it or should use it with caution, as its Blood-activating and stasis-dissipating effects may affect the fetus. Individuals with heavy menstrual flow should not take large amounts. It should not be eaten raw. The raw material has a relatively pungent odor and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Infants and young children have weak digestive function and should not consume it in large amounts.
Selected Formulas
For traumatic injuries (Food Encyclopedia) Take 6g of dried root and 1.5g of Duheng (Asarum forbesii) root powder. Grind and mix together, and take with yellow wine. For jaundice (Food Encyclopedia) Take 30g of root, 30g of Jixuecao (Centella asiatica), 6g of Huangzhizi (Gardenia jasminoides), and 9g of Yinchenhao (Artemisia capillaris). Decoct in water and drink. For wind-heat common cold (Xiangjian Langzhong) Take 100g of the whole plant of Caoshican (Stachys sieboldii). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
The tubers of Chinese Artichoke are crisp and tender, fiber-free, and pagoda-shaped. They are a high-quality ingredient for traditional pickled and fermented vegetables: Pickled consumption: Chinese Artichoke is best pickled into salted vegetables or pickles. The finished product is crisp and refreshing, appetizing with rice, and an excellent accompaniment to rice porridge (congee).
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant and tubers.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Fresh material should be kept at low temperature with moisture retained to prevent browning, and should be used promptly or refrigerated for short-term storage.
