Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Guan Zhong 贯众Male Fern, Shield-fernGuan Zhong, Mian Ma Guan Zhong (TCM) |
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Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Photo by Kenraiz) (Wikimedia)
Dryopteris Guan Zhong(Adam, 2024)
Botanical name:
Dryopteris crassirhizoma
A number of other species have been said to provide varieties of Guan Zhong including:
- Woodwardia japonica
- Blechnum orientale
- Lunathyrium acrostichoides
- Osmunda japonica
- Matteuccia struthiopteris
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter. slightly Toxic
Classification:
S. Worms and Parasites
Uses:
1. Kills Worms:
–Tapeworm, Roundworm, Pinworm, Hookworm
-Liver fluke, Schistosomiasis
-abdominal pain associated with Worms
2. Clears Wind-Heat and Toxin:
-Common Cold, Flu or Epidemic disease from Wind-Heat and Toxin, with Fever, Sore Throat, aches and pains
-‘treats diseases with exterior manifestation due to internal pathological condition’. (Li Shi Zhen)
-useful for a wide range of Toxic Heat disorders
-can help expression of rashes in Measles, Chicken Pox etc. Also to prevent infection
-helps prevent infection during Cold and Flu season
-Dizziness and Hypertension from Wind-Heat
-Toxic Sores
3. Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding
-Bleeding from Heat
-Vomiting Blood, Blood in the Stool including Dysentery with Blood
-especially for Uterine Bleeding and excessive Menstruation
-Puerperal abdominal pain and distention (Li Shi Zhen)
-the carbonised root is used for this function
4. Clears Heat and Toxin, Resolves Masses:
-“Dissolve hard masses in the abdomen” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-Tumors, Cancers (inc. Prostate, Lung, Liver)
-Anti-Tumor and Anti-Cancer effects have been demonstrated
5. Externally:
-applied to insects and parasites like Lice and Ringworm
-Sores that itch, mix the powdered root with oil and apply.
-the powder can be applied topically for itching, sores, and rashes from Heat
Dose
Avoid fatty, fried and oily foods while using this medicine.
4–9 grams (up to 15 grams)
Preparation:
1. Prepared Guan Zhong:
Wash and soak the fresh root overnight, remove from the water, slice and dry.
2. Carbonised Guan Zhong:
Stir-fry the root in a dry pot until blackened. Spray with water, remove from the pot and dry.
The Carbonised root is used for Bleeding, specifically Metrorrhagia or metrostaxis. Dose is the same.
Main Combinations:
1. Common Cold and Flu from Wind-Heat, Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao (as in Kang Gan Keli of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
2. Diseases from Heat and Toxin, Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Coptis Huang Lian and Licorice
3. Influenza, Encephalitis B, Mumps, Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Isatidis Da Qing Ye (Woad leaf), Isatidis Ban Lan Gen (Woad root), Lithospermum Zi Cao
4. To prevent Measles infection during epidemics, Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Lonicera Jin Yin Hua
5. To help full expression of rash in Measles etc., Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Paeonia Chi Shao Yao, Cimifuga Sheng Ma
6. Uterine Bleeding:
i. decocct half liang (15 grams) of Dryopteris Guan Zhong in water to “stop immediately”. (The source doses not mention using the carbonised root, which would no doubt be stronger.) (Jijian Fang)
ii. excessive Menstruation, Dryopteris Guan Zhong with Agrimony (Xian He Cao), charred Eclipta Han Lian Cao
7. Epistaxis that doesn’t stop, take 3 grams of powdered carbonised Guan Zhong (Puji Fang)
8. Incessant Bloody Dysentery, Dyopteris Guan Zhong (15 grams), decoct and drink. (Jijian Fang)
9. To avoid hunger during famine, peel Black Soy bean and cut Dryopteris Guan Zhong into small pieces. Boil together until the Soy beans are well cooked. Dry the drugs in the sun, and remove the root. Eat 5 or 7 beans before eating. This was said to allow the person to eat anything (herbs, leaves and twigs) without hunger. (Li Shi Zhen)
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy (some Chinese sources state it should be used with Caution during Pregnancy).
2. Not used in Yin deficiency; caution using in Cold bodies.
3. Not used in those with Ulcers, or a recent history of Ulcers
4. Avoid fatty, fried and oily foods while using this medicine.