Cortex Periplocae (Xiangjiapi)

Naming
Xiang Jia Pi (Cortex Periplocae)-Zhong Yao Zhi (Records on Chinese Materia Media)

Origin
The root bark of the Periploca sepium Bge of family Asclepiadaceae.

Location
Shanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces, etc.

Harvest
Collected in spring and autumn.

The actual smell and taste
Special fragrant and bitter.

Best quality
Thick stick and bark, reel in shape without duramen, strong fragrance and bitter taste.

Processing
Dried in sunlight, sliced and unprocessed.

Property
Pungent, bitter, warm; toxic; liver, kidney and heart meridians entered.

Actions
Dispel wind-damp, induce diuresis to alleviate edema.

Indications
A. Arthralgia syndrome due to wind-damp
Being pungent and bitter with the action of dispersing and drying, fragrant and warm with unblocking, it can dispel wind-damp and warm meridians to alleviate pain. For arthralgia syndrome due to wind, dampness and cold, pain and spasm of joints, it is often combined with other wind-dispelling, damp-removing and cold-dispelling herbs. For chronic arthralgia syndrome characterized by paralysis of tendons and bones, it should be combined with liver-kidney tonics, tendons-bones-strengthening herbs, and tendons-soothing and collaterals-activating herbs, such as Radix Morindae Officinalis (Bajitian), Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Niuxi) and Mu Gua.

B. Edema, difficulty in micturition
Being bitter and warm with the action of descending and unblocking, it has the action of inducing diuresis to alleviate Edema. For edema and difficulty in micturition, it is often combined with diuresis-inducing, and qi-moving herbs. For instance, Poria (Fuling), Da Fu Pi and Chen Pi, etc.

Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 3~6 g; or soaked in wine, made in pill or powder for use.

Cautions
Overdosage should be avoided because it is poisonous.