Homalomena, Qian Nian Jian 千年健

Qian Nian Jian (TCM)
Picture Homalomena occulta
The botanical cabinet (Loddiges) (1827)

Picture Homalomena aromatica
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 49 (1822)

Botanical name:


Homalomena occulta (syn. Calla occulta, Zantedeschia occulta)
H. aromatica (syn. H. kelungensis) is used in neighbouring countries (incl. Bangladesh), and has similar appearance and uses.

Parts used:


Rhizome

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent, Bitter

Classification:


D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Strengthens Sinews and Bones:
-Wind-Cold-Damp joint and muscle Pain with pain, numbness, spasms
-Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
-especially useful for chronic cases, cases with deficiency, and the elderly
-H. aromatica is also used for Gout and Rheumatism

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Reduces Swelling:
-pain and swelling associated with Trauma
-Abscesses, Swollen Sores

3. Warms the Stomach:
-Stomach pain from Cold

4. Externally:
-as a wash for Wind-Damp joint and muscles pain


Dose:


Decoction: 4–9 grams
Often infused in wine for Joint disease

Main Combinations:


1. Wind-Damp Joint Pain:
i. Joint or muscle pain, lower back pain, especially in the elderly with Spatholobi Ji Xue Teng, Lycium Gou Qi Zi
ii. Joint or muscle pain, lower back pain, especially in the elderly with Achyranthes Niu Xi, Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi
iii. Wind-Cold-Damp Joint pain, Homalomena Qian Nian Jian, Myrrh (Mo Yao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Pyrite (Zi Ran Tong), Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Ephedra Ma Huang, Licorice (as in Shu Feng Ding Tong Wan)
2. Strengthen the Bones:
i. with Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), Achyranthes Niu Xi
ii. and for Rheumatism with Polygala Yuan Zhi, Dang Gui, Poria Fu Shen (equal parts)
iii. in the elderly with weakness and pain of the Lower Back, with Achyranthes Niu Xi, Dang Gui, Rehmannia Shu Di, Eucommia Du Zhong, Mulberry fruit (Sang Zhi), Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi, Gentiana Qin Jiao

Cautions:


1. Avoid overdose. Overdose can cause spasms, vomiting, vertigo
2. Caution in those with Yin-deficient Heat (Heat due to Yin deficiency)

Main Preparations used: