Radix Phytolaccae (Shanglu)

Naming
Shang Lu (Radix Phytolaccae)-Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)

Origin
The root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. or P. americana L. of family Phytolaccaceae.

Location
Most areas of China.

Harvest
Collected from autumn to next spring.

The actual smell and taste
Light smell, slightly sweet and numbing-feeling after-taste.

Best quality
Big pieces, yellowish white.

Processing
Unprocessed or processed with vinegar.

Property
Bitter, pungent, cold, toxic; large intestine, lung, and kidney meridians entered.

Actions
Expel water by catharsis, induce diuresis, relieve swelling and dissipate nodulation in topical application.

Indications
A. Edema, tympanites
Being bitter and cold with the tendency of descending, it can free urination and defection to discharge water, and excels in treating the excess syndrome of edema, tympanites, constipation and difficulty in micturition. It is often combined with diuresis-inducing and edema-alleviating herbs such as Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie), and Fu Ling Pi, as in Shu Zao Yin Zi from Ji Sheng Fang, and can also be used singly or cooked with carp and Chi Xiao Dou.

B. Sores and abscess
It has the action of relieving swelling and dissipating nodulation, and removing toxicity when being used topically. For sores and initial abscess, its fresh root is pounded with proper amount of salt and used externally.

Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 5~10 g. Proper dosage is for topical administration. It should be processed with vinegar to weaken its toxins when taking orally.

Cautions
It is contraindicated to pregnancy.