Cynanchum paniculatum (Yizhixiang)

Distribution:
Distributed in most part of China. Being produced in Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Hebei, Hunan, anhui, Guizhou, Guangxi, and northeastern provinces of China.

Properties (characteristics):
Acrid, warm.

Channels (meridians) entered:
Liver, stomach.
 
Medical functions:
Sedation: Peony phenol sedative
Heart rate lowering blood pressure  
Lipid-lowering effect  
Smooth muscle relaxation 

Antibacterial effect: Cynanchum whole plant decoction 1:4 against Shigella, Salmonella typhi; 1:2 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus inhibition. Peony phenol in vitro, 1:15000 Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus 1:2000 inhibition 

Peony phenol anti-tumor effect 

The ethanol extract of xu chang qing could prevent apoptosis in the neuron cell model and reduce apoptosis rate in brain tissue after herpes simplex virus encephalitis of lab mice. 

Actions & Indications:
It can be used in arresting pain, stopping itching; reducing swelling. For: stomach sicknesses; toothache; Rheumatic Arthritis; Lumbago; abdominal pain; toothache; urination difficulty; diarrhea; dysentery; Eczema; hives; snake bites.

"Common Usage of Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook of Guangzhou forces": "Arresting  pain; detoxification and reducing swelling; warming the meridian and activating the collatorals. For treatment of: poisonous snake bites, pain in rheumatism, gastric pain, shingles, cirrhosis, irregular menstruation. , dysmenorrhea." 

Chemical ingredients:
Paeonol, about l%
Sarcostin
Deacylcynanchogenin
Tomentogenin
Substances similar to deacylmetaplexigenin
Acetic acid
Cinnamic acid etc
Glycosides
Sugars
Amino acids
Peonol
C21 steroids
Sarcostin
Deacyl-metaplexigenin
Deacylcynan-chogenin
Tomentogenin
4-Acetylphenol
2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone
2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone
Acetoveratrone
 
Dosage:
3～12 g
 
Samples of formulae:
For treatment of poisonous snake bite: xu chang qing, ban bian lian boil with water, Take orally or/also apply externally.. 

It is effective for eczema, hives, contact dermatitis, tinea, etc.
Therapy method: xu chang qing 6 to 12 grams; each time,  make into decoction. Oral consumption, or/also for external application; or can be made into injectiones.
Treated 36 cases:
Result: 24 cases healed, 8 cases improved, 4 cases ineffective.

Cautions:
Use with care, if the patient is weak.