Damp heat bodily pain treated with TCM Aristolochia fangchi

What is Aristolochia fangchi(Guang Fang Ji)? It refers to the dry root of Aristolochia fangchi Y.C.Wu ex L.D. Chou et S.M. Hwang, a plant belonging to Aristolochiaceae. Main habitats are hillsides and open forests. Medicinally it is primarily produced from Guangdong and Guangxi in China. Other common names are Aristolochia root, radix Aristolochiae fangji, and more. For better medicinal properties, it is preferably harvested during autumn and winter. Next, wash, cut into sections, cut the bigger ones in half lengthways, and dry in the sun.

Its plant is a perennial climbing vine, up to 3 to 4 meters. Roots are thick, cylindrical, and with well-developed cork. Stems are slender, less branching, taupe or brown-black, and densely covered with brown hair. Leaves are alternate. Petiole is 1 to 4cm in length and densely covered with brown hair. Blades are round or ovate-oblong, 3 to 17cm long, 2 to 6cm wide, and with acuminate or obtuse apex, cordate or rounded base, and entire margin. Flowers grow solitarily in leaf axils. Pedicels are about 1 to 2cm long and brown haired. Perianth is tubular, about 5cm, purple, and with yellow spots. Capsule comes with many seeds. It usually flowers during May to June and fruits from July to September.

Aristolochia root properties in Chinese herbal remedies
In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is believed as bitter and acrid in flavor and cold in nature. And it covers meridians of bladder and lung. Essential functions are dispelling wind to relieve pain, clearing heat, and using diuretic of hydragogue to alleviate water retention. Basic aristolochia fangchi uses and indications are damp-heat bodily pain, wind-damp pain or numbness, lower extremity Edema, difficult urination, and beriberi induced pain and swelling. Recommended dosage is from 4.5 to 9 grams in decoction.