Single Herb Glossary
Shú Dì Huáng 熟地黃
| Pharmaceutical name | Rehmanniae Radix preparata cooked rehmannia root, prepared Chinese foxglove root "cooked earth yellow" |
| Category | Tonify Blood |
| Key Properties | Tonifies Blood Enriches Yin, Generates Essence Augments Marrow |
| Properties | Sweet Sl. Warm |
| Tropism | HT, KD, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Tonifies Blood 2) Nourishes Yin (LV/KD) 3) Strongly Enriches Yin, Relieves Wasting & Thirsting 4) Nourishes Blood & Tonifies Essence |
| Dosages | 9-30g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Qi stagnation and profuse phlegm, fullness, and pain in the abdomen, reduced appetite, and diarrhea. |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Catalpol, 6-o-acetylcatalpol, aucubin, melittoside, rehmanniosides A,B,C,D; rehmaglutins A,B,C,D; glutinoside, rehmannans A,B,C; stachyose, D-mannitol |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Anti-inflammatory: water and alcohol extracts at 10 g/kg/day for 5 days showed marked effectiveness in reducing inflammation and swelling in mice • Endocrine: definite effect on endocrine system; ingestion increases plasma levels of adrenocortical hormone, even in presence of dexamethasone; proposed that Sheng Di Huang works by inhibiting the negative feedback from the dexamethasone to the pituitary gland; other herbs that have shown similar influence include Zhi Mu (Radix Anemarrhenae) and Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) • Others: cardiotonic, antihypertensive, hemostatic, hepatoprotective, diuretic and antibiotic effects |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.