Boschniakia, Hui Chun Cao 回春草

Hui Chuan Cao (‘Rejuvenation Herb’); Cao Cong Rong (TCM)
Oniku (Japan)
Orobanche spp. (2) and Boschniakia (3), showing the similarity of the two species.
Komarov (Komorov), V.L., Flora of the U.S.S.R. (1934-1964)

Boschniakia rossica
(Photo by Malcolm Manners) (Wikimedia)

Ther dried herb for sale at the Chengdu Medicine Market
(Adam, 2018)

Botanical name:

Boschniakia rossica
Boschniakia himalaica is used in Nepal

Parts used:

Whole herb which is a parasite on other plants like Broomrape

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral. Bitter

Constituents:

Monoterpenes, Triterpenes, Steroids

Uses:

1. Benefits the Kidneys, Strengthens Bones and Joints
-Lower Back pain and weakness, lower limb and knee pain
-Numbness or tiredness of the lower limbs
-Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis

2. Tonifies Kidney Yang:
-Impotence; Aphrodisiac
-Dribbling Urine, Hematuria
-Diabetes
-Female Infertility
-Leukorrhea from deficiency; excess Blood loss in females
-also supports Qi, Yin and Essence (Jing), and the 5 Organs beneficial for the elderly

3. Nourishes Heart Yin:
-lowers Blood pressure
-Insomnia, Restlessness, Excess Dreaming, Neurasthenia
-Palpitations from overthinking

4. Moistens Intestines, Promotes Stool:
-Constipation in the weak or elderly from dryness

5. Calms the Liver, Brightens the Eyes:
-Red Eyes, Headache, and blurry vision

Dose:

1. Used in Decoction or steeped in alcohol.
2. Soaking in wine and taking as a single herb is said to be best.
Infuse 1 part herb in 10 parts 50% alcohol. This can be taken twice daily in a dose of 30–50mls.
Decoction: 9–20 grams

Substitute:

It is a local variant of Cistanche Rou Cong Rong in Inner Mongolia. Cistanche Rou Cong Rong has similar effects.

Main Combinations:

1. As a Kidney tonic:
i. Boschniakia with Cistanche Rou Cong Rong
ii. Boschniakia with Eucommia Du Zhong, Ginseng, Deer Velvet Antler (Lu Rong), Cistanche Rou Cong Rong
2. Lower Back pain and Weakness:
i. Boschniakia with Eucommia Du Zhong
3. As a Heart tonic for the Elderly:
i. Boschniakia with Ganoderma Ling Zhi

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:

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• Extra Info
  
• Research

1. GENERAL / REVIEW: –Chemical constituents from Boschniakia himalaica. –The genus Boschniakia in China: An ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review –Determination of amino acids and nutrient elements in Boschniakia rossica –Speciation analysis of trace elements in Boschniakia rossica 2. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: –Anti-Inflammatory Iridoids of Botanical Origin –Anti-tumor effect and anti-inflammatory activity of Boschniakia rossica 3. ANTI-AGING, ANTI-SENILITY –Effect of Boschniakia rossica extract on free radicals in brain of D-galactose induced senile rats –EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BOSCHNIAKIA ROSSICA EXTRACT ON BRAIN TISSUE OF SENILE RATS –Plants beneficial to the aging brain 4. COGNITION, MEMORY: –The Influence of Boschniakia rossica Extract on Learning and Memory Capability and Neuronal Apoptosis in AD Model Rats 5. ANTIOXIDANT –Radical scavenger effect of Boschniakia rossica –Antioxidative effect of polysaccharides from Boschniakia rossica [J] –In vitro antioxidantive effect of Boschniakia rossica 6. DIABETES –Effects of boschnaloside from Boschniakia rossica on dysglycemia and islet dysfunction in severely diabetic mice through modulating the action of glucagon-like peptide-1.

7. HEPATOPROTECTIVE: –Hepatoprotective effect of polysaccharides from Boschniakia rossica on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in mice –Protective effect of iridoid glucosides from Boschniakia rossica on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats –BRP, a polysaccharide fraction isolated from Boschniakia rossica, protects against galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide induced hepatic failure in mice –Treatment of pig serum-induced rat liver fibrosis with Boschniakia rossica, oxymatrine and interferon-α –Effects of the Boschniakia rossica iridoids on hepatic antioxidative activity in mice with liver injury by D-galactoamine 8. ANTI-TUMOR, ANTI-CANCER: –Purification of a polysaccharide from Boschniakia rossica and its synergistic antitumor effect combined with 5-Fluorouracil –Anti-tumor function and immuno-regulatory function of Boschniakia rossica polysaccharide [J] –Anti-tumor effect and anti-inflammatory activity ofBoschniakia rossica LARYNGEAL –Boschniakia Rossica Polysaccharide Triggers Laryngeal Carcinoma Cell Apoptosis by Regulating Expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and P53 –Polysaccharide of Boschniakia rossica induces apoptosis on laryngeal carcinoma Hep2 cells LIVER –Effect of Boschniakia rossica on expression of GST-P, p53 and p21ras proteins in early stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis and its anti-inflammatory activities in rats LUNG –Effect of phenylpropanoid glycosides from Boschniakia rossica on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of lung carcinoma cell –Inhibitive mechanism of Boschniakia rossica extract on proliferation of lung carcinoma cell SYNERGISM WITH CHEMOTHERAPY –Purification of a polysaccharide from Boschniakia rossica and its synergistic antitumor effect combined with 5-Fluorouracil.