Cynanchum paniculatum, Xu Chang Qing 徐長卿

Paniculate Swallow-wort
Xu Chang Qing (TCM)

Botanical name:


Cynanchum paniculatum (syn. Vincetoxicum pycnostelma)

Parts used:


Root and Rhizome

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent

Classification:


D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Moves the Blood, Relieves Pain: (TCM)
-Wind-Damp painful obstruction of the Joints and Muscles
-Arthritis, Rheumatism, Rheumatic arthralgia
-Lower Back Pain
-Trauma

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Relieves Pain: (TCM)
-Dysmenorrhea
-also continuous Uterine bleeding, Leukorrhea
-Trauma, Bruising; Pain following Surgery

3. Clears Damp, Warms the Stomach: (TCM)
-Cold-Damp abdominal pain
-Diarrhea due to the food and water from an unfamiliar environment (such as travelers experience)

4. Clears Toxin, Relieves Swelling, Stops Itching: (TCM)
-stubborn, chronic Itching, Eczema, Urticaria, Pruritus, Herpes Zoster; internally and topically (wash or tincture)
-poisonous bites of Snakes, Rabid Dogs and other venomous bites
-traditionally for Malarial disorders

5. Externally:
-applied topically to itchy skin conditions (powder, wash or tincture)
-applied topically to poisonous bites including Snake Bite
-toothache, strong decoction used as a mouthwash; it can be taken internally also


Dose:


Infusion of Brief Decoction: 3–12 grams

Comment:


According to Bensky, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing is used a local variety of Cynanchum atratum Bai Wei. However, their uses are different.

Main Combinations:


1. Wind-Damp Joint pain:
i. Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi, Clematis Wei Ling Xian
ii. Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Curcuma Jiang Huang, Pyrola Lu Xian Cao
2. Lower Back Pain, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Dipsacus Xu Duan, Eucommia Du Zhong
3. Abdominal pain from Cold and Damp, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Galangal (Gao Liang Jiang), Cyperus (Xiang Fu)
4. Diarrhea of travelers unaccustomed to the food and water, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Prunus mume Wu Mei, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling
5. Dysmenorrhea, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
6. Trauma, Bruising, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Myrrh (Mo Yao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang)
7. Stubborn Itching skin diseases including Eczema, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Sophora Ku Shen, Dictamnus Bai Xian Pi, Kochia Di Fu Zi
8. Toxic Sores, Snake Bite, Cynanchum paniculatum Xu Chang Qing with Lobelia Ban Bian Lian and Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju Hua

Cautions:


Avoid overdose.

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H. Hara: A review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology.