TCM herb stephania tetrandra commonly used for edema

What is stephania tetrandra? It refers to the dry root of Stephania tetrandra S. Moor, instead of Aristolochia fangchi Y. C. Wu ex L. D. Chou et S. M. Hwang. So, medicinally its common names include stephania root, radix stephaniae tetrandrae, stephaniae tetrandrae radix, and so on. It is mainly produced in Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian and other places. In ensure high medicinal quality, it is usually harvested during autumn, and then washed clean, removed tertia, cut into sections, and dried in the sun.

Stephania tetrandra plant is a perennial twining vine. Root is cylindrical or massive sometimes, and with light brown or tan skin. Stems are flexible, cylindrical, slightly twisted sometimes, up to 2.5 to 4 meters, and with pinstripes. Branches are glabrous and with slightly red base. Leaves are alternate, soft and thin. Petiole is peltate and as long as blade. Blade is nearly round, with 3 to 5 angles, 4 to 6cm long, and 4.5 to 6cm wide. Small flowers are dioecious and forms cephaloid cymes. Pedicels are about 0.5 to 1cm. Drupe is globose, red when ripe, and 3 to 5mm in diameter. It flowers from April to May and fruits from May to June. Main habitats are mountains hills, bushes or the edges of low forest.

Tetrandra root contains 1.2% alkaloids, among which most are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. And related studies think that it contains Tetrandrine or Hanfangchin A, Fangchinoline (Hanfangchin B or Demethyl tetrandrine), Hanfangchin C, Menisine, Menisidine, and Cyclanoline. Others include berbamine, Oxofangchirine, stephanthrine, glycosides, phenols, organic acids, volatile oil, and sugar and so on.

Stephania tetrandra health benefits
Being one of Chinese herbs that are commonly used for Edema, this herb is usually used in the form of decoction. And now more and more related commercial products are easily accessible, such as stephania tetrandra root extract, capsules, powder, tincture, and others. And its pharmacological actions can explain the reason why it is so popular.

Modern stephania herb pharmacology
1. It can significantly increase urine production;
2. Its total alkali, liquid extract and decoction have analgesic effect;
3. Tetrandrine has immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-amoeba, anti-tumor, and extensive anti-allergic effects;
4. Tetrandrine has a protective effect on the myocardium. It can expand coronary blood vessels, increase coronary blood flow, lower blood pressure, and antagonize arrhythmia;
5. Tetrandrine can significantly inhibit platelet aggregation, promote fibrinolysis, and inhibit thrombin-induced blood coagulation;
6. Tetrandrine can prevent and treat experimental silicosis. And it can also greatly relax the uterine contractions;
7. Low concentration of tetrandrine can increase the bowel tension, strengthened rhythmic contractions. On the contrary, high concentration can reduce tension and diminish rhythmic contraction;
8. Tetrandrine can significantly lower blood glucose in normal rats, and tremendously increase serum insulin.