Dichroa Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Dichroa Root, known in Chinese as 常山 (Chángshān) and scientifically as Radix Dichroae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Dichroa Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Dichroa Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Dichroa Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Dichroa Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Dichroa Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Hengshan, Jiguchangshan, and Jigufeng. It is the root of Dichroa febrifuga Lour., a plant of the Saxifragaceae family. It is mainly produced in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, with additional production in Hunan and Hubei. Sichuan produces the largest quantity and the best quality. It is harvested in autumn by digging up the roots, removing the fine roots, washing clean, and drying in the sun.

[Properties] Bitter and pungent in taste, cold in nature, and toxic. Enters the liver and spleen meridians.

[Actions] Arrests malaria and expels phlegm.

[Applications]
1. Used for malaria. Radix Dichroae is a specialized herb for arresting malaria and is often combined with tsaoko fruit (草果), betel nut (槟榔), tangerine peel (陈皮), and magnolia bark (厚朴), as in the formula Jielü Qibao Yin (截疟七宝饮). For warm malaria with predominant heat and little cold, it is combined with anemarrhena (知母), gypsum (石膏), and lycium bark (地骨皮). For cold malaria with predominant cold and little heat, it is combined with aconite (附子), cinnamon (肉桂), or clove (丁香) and fresh ginger (生姜), as in the formula Jielü Fang (截疟方). For mountain miasma malaria, it is often combined with Artemisia annua (青蒿) and anemarrhena (知母), as in Bao’an Tang (保安汤). For chronic malaria that develops into malaria mother syndrome, it can be combined with amomum (砂仁), sparganium (三棱), and curcuma (莪术), as in the formula Zhanglü Dan (瘴疟丹). For weak patients with prolonged malaria, it is often combined with ginseng (人参) and poria (茯苓), as in Guiku San (鬼哭散).
2. Used for accumulation of phlegm and fluid in the chest and diaphragm, with loss of appetite and an urge to vomit but inability to vomit. It is often combined with licorice and honey and taken warm. This method can be used to treat mania and epilepsy when these conditions are attributed to phlegm and excessive sputum obstruction.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 5–9 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. For arresting malaria, take before the onset of attacks and preferably stir-fry with wine before use.

[Cautions] Use with caution in patients with deficient vital qi or chronic weakness. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Radix Dichroae contains total alkaloids, including dichroine A, B, and C. It also contains dichroine D, 4-quinazolone, umbelliferone lactone, and dichroine B.
2. Pharmacological actions: Dichroine A, B, and C induce vomiting in experimental animals and have significant hypotensive effects in dogs under anesthesia. The aqueous extract or its active component dichroine shows significant antimalarial effects against avian malaria. The total extract of Radix Dichroae exhibits good antimalarial activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium. Hydrochloride of dichroine B shows strong anti-amoebic activity both in vivo and in vitro. Oral decoction or alcoholic extract and subcutaneous injection of Radix Dichroae have significant antipyretic effects in artificially febrile rabbits. The aqueous extract inhibits influenza virus PR8 in vitro. Dichroine B inhibits Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in vitro and suppresses various animal tumors in vivo.

Category: Detoxifying, resolving putrefaction, and promoting tissue regeneration herbs.