Aspidistra, Zhi Zhu Bao Dan 蜘蛛抱蛋 Aspidistra Zhi Zhu Bao Dan (TCM)

Aspidistra elatior
Addisonia (1933)

Aspidistra elatior
(Photo by KENPEI) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Aspidistra elatior

Parts used:

Whole herb or Rhizome

Temperature & Taste:

Slightly Warm (some sources say Cool), dry. Sweet, Pungent

Constituents:

Steroidal saponins, inc. aspidogenin

Uses:

1. Moves the Blood, Opens Obstructions, Eases Pain:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Trauma, Bruising
-Headache, Toothache
-Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Benefits Muscles and Bones:
-Wind-Damp Muscle and Joint pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Lumbago
-strengthens the Bones and Joints

3. Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-Lung Heat Cough
-Cough from Lung deficiency
-Hemoptysis

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine, Opens Obstruction:
-Strangury, obstructed Urine, Edema
-Gravel and Stones of the Urinary tract

5. Used for Malaria:
-a fold remedy for Malaria.

Dose:

Decoction: 9–15 grams (up to 30 grams); of the Fresh plant, 30–60 grams

Main Combinations:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Aspidistra is steeped in wine (in a ratio of 1:2) as a solo medicine; Dose: 15mls. (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
2. Muscle and Joint pain, 9–15 grams decocted and taken.
3. Chronic Lower Back pain, Aspidistra, Eucommia Du Zhong, decoct in wine.

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

Not used during Pregnancy.

Main Preparations used: