Physochlaina infundibularis, Hua Shan Shen 华山参

Hua Shan Shen, Lou Dou Pao Nang Cao (TCM)
 Picture Picture
Picture Physochlaina orientalis
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1823

 Picture Physochlaina praealta
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1851
Picture Physochlaina physoloides
(Photo by Nina Filippova, edited) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Physochlaina spp.
  1. P. infundibularis (China);
  2. P. physoloides (syn. P. dahurica, P. lanosa, Hyoscyamus physaloides) (Mongolia)
  3. Physochlaina praealta is used similarly in India

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Bitter. Toxic

Uses:


1. Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Cough, Wheezing, Asthma

2. Calms the Mind, Eases Pain:
-Palpitations, Insomnia (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
-Sexual dysfunction related to nervousness or stress
-used as a narcotic to ease pain

3. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Anthrax, Encephalitis (Mongolian Medicine)
-Tumors


Dose:


100–200mg

Comment:


Contains atropine and hyoscyamine

Substitute:


Henbane

Main Combinations:


1. Cough, Physochlaina with Licorice

Cautions:


1. Toxic in overdose. Overdose may cause intoxication due to hyoscyamine content.
2. Contraindicated in Glaucoma
3. Not used in Pregnancy
4. Not used in patients with marked Prostatomegaly.

Main Preparations used: