| shu gu jiang huang 束骨薑黃 da jiang huang 大薑黃 by: Joe Hing kwok Chu | Pharmaceutical name: | Rhizoma Curcuma xanthorrhizae | | Latin botanical name: | Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. Curcuma zanthorrhiza Roxb., nom. illeg. | | Pron. in Cantonese: | shu kuat keung wong | | Common Name: | giant curcuma, false turmeric, temu lawak, temulawak | | Distribution: | India, southern part of China, Africa and south east Asia | | Properties (characteristics) | acrid, bitter, aromatic, slightly sweet | | Channels (meridians) entered: | liver, spleen and lung | | Actions & Indications: | Uses in: cholagogue (to encourage bile secretion) analgesics, anti-rheumatoid arthritis and muscular pains antipyretic anti-hepatotoxic liver problems, jaundice and gall stones lactagogues (promoting the flow of breast milk) skin diseases antispasmodic, eliminating cramps anti-dysmenorrhea inflammation of the rectum and hemorrhoids inflammation of the mouth bloody diarrhea, dysentery stomach disorders caused by wind-cold children's cough and fever yeast infection, leucorrhoea, and rid of gastric gas constipation general tonics diabetes anti-itching
| | Medical Functions: | anti inflammatory, anti coagulation of blood cells, lowers fibrinogen cholagogues (promotes bile secretion), glucose lowering activity in diabetic rats antifungal antibacterial lowering AST and ALT can cause contraction of the uterus. anti oxidant anti tumor
| | Chemical ingredients: | (1) volatile oil (6-11%): 1-cyclo-isoprenemyrcene (up to 85%); xanthorrizol, (up to. 20% ) and phenolic sesquiterpene (not found in jiang huang (C. longa)). (2) curcuminoids : curcumin 62% and desmethoxycurcumin 38%. (3) starch (30-40%) | | Dosage: | fresh root: 3 ~ 9 grams, graded, Dried root: 1 ~ 5 grams Boil briefly to avoid losing the essential oil. Take before meals for improving digestion. | | Samples of formulae: | For pimples: shu gu jiang huang 3 g, fresh tamarind 10 g. Put in a pre warmed cup and add boiling water. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Use as tea every morning. East plenty of vegetable and fruit and avoid fatty food. More to upload. | | Modern Research: | see links below | | Cautions: | Do not use during pregnancy; (may cause uterus contraction) if there is a bile duct obstruction. (it can increase bile secretion and may create inflammation) with gallbladder disease as it will increase the flow of bile, creating a possible flare-up. on those on blood-thinning medications (it has blood thinning effect)
Long term large quantity usage may produce stomach ulcer. |
Note: The cholagogue effect of shu gu jiang huang is synergistical effect of curcumin and the essential oil of the herb. Do not over heat or over cook to preserve the evaporating oil. Compared to jiang huang (Curcuma Longa.; Curcuma domestica) this herb is a better choice. Jiang huang contains the ingredient of bisdesmethoxycurcumin of 29% and shu gu jiang huang does not contain any. It is the bisdesmethoxycurcumin that can decrease bile flow.
Links (more to upload): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8571920&dopt=Abstract http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8473006&dopt=Abstract Last update: April 6, 2008; 11:55 a.m. LAH curcuma_xanthorrhiza.htm |
