Sparganium, San Leng 三棱Burr-reed rhizome, Scirpus, XiphidionSan Leng (TCM) |
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Sparganium ramosum (syn. S. erectum)Eicones plantarum seu stirpium, Jacobus Theodorus, 1590
Sparganium simplex (S. emersum)Flora Danica [G.C. Oeder et al], (1761-1883)
Sparganium stenophyllum(Photo by Show ryu) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Sparganium stoloniferum (syn. S. erectum, S. ramosum)
Others used include S. stenophyllum (syn. S. subglobosum), S. simplex (syn. S. emersum), S, yagara
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Bitter, Pungent
Classifications:
K. Move the Blood
Uses:
1. Moves Qi and Blood, Clears Stasis, Eases Pain: (TCM)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Postpartum pain
-Tumors, Abdominal Tumors, Gynecological Tumors
-Hardness or swelling of the Liver or Spleen; Cirrhosis
-pain from Blood stagnation
-has been used for Heart disease in modern China
2. Moves the Qi, Opens Obstructions: (TCM)
-severe Abdominal pain, distention and spasm
-Colic, Bloating
-Food Stagnation
-adjunct for Urinary stones
3. Resists Poison:
-Snake Bite (Dioscorides)
Note:
1. The herb was known (as S. ramosum) in the West, but the root was rarely used. Galen noted it was drying, and Dioscorides said the root taken with wine was good for Snake bite.
2. The unripe fruit of S. ramosum (syn. S. erectum) has been used in the Western tradition. They are astringent and hemostatic, for which they were taken in wine with a little Cinnamon. Externally, a strong decoction was used to wash Foul Ulcers.
Dose:
1. Taken with Wine for Blood stasis, Pain or Poison
Decoction: 3–10 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams.
Substitute:
1. Zedoary
2. Scirpus yagara, S. fluviatilis (used for San Leng in some parts of China)
Preparation:
1. Dry-Fried: stir-fry
Bran until it begins to smoke, then add slices of Sparganium San Leng and stir until yellow. This lessens its blood Moving, stasis-clearing effect, but enhances its ability to relieve Food Stagnation and abdominal distention.
2. Wine-fried:
Briefly soak the roots in wine, then stir-fry until almost dry, then allow to sun-dry. It is stronger to move the Blood and treat abdominal Tumors.
3. Vinegar-Fried:
Boil in water briefly, discard the water, add Vinegar (15% by weight) and boil until most of the liquid is absorbed. then leave to dry. This moderates its strong nature and increases its ability to clear Blood stasis and ease pain.
Main Combinations:
Often combined with Zedoary (E Zhu) in TCM. These two medicines potently move the Blood, breaks Stasis and resolve Tumors. Zedoary is stronger to move qi and blood, resolve stasis, and disperse masses; Sparganium is better to soften hardness and eliminate chronic tumors. Therefore they are often combined to more effectively resolve masses and tumors.
1. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Sparganium San Leng with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu)
ii. Sparganium San Leng with Dang Gui, Zedoary (E Zhu), Safflower (Hong Hua), Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
2. Abdominal Masses, Tumors:
i. Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu)
ii. Sparganium San Leng with Tumeric (Jiang Huang)
iii. Sparganium San Leng with Rhubarb (Da Huang), Borax (Peng Sha), Toxicodendron resin Gan Qi, Croton Ba Dou. (as in San Leng Wan from Yi Xue Qie Wen [Pulse-taking and Interrogation on Medical Science]).
iv. obstructed menstruation with mass in the lower abdomen, Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu), Citrus Qing Pi, Genkwa Flower (Yuan Hua)
v. abdominal mass in postpartum women, Sparganium San Leng with Costus Mu Xiang, Sal Ammoniac (Nao Sha), Croton Ba Dou, Genkwa Flower (Yuan Hua)
vi. Abdominal masses and Postpartum Blood Stagnation, Sparganium San Leng with Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao), Safflower (Hong Hua), Cyperus Xiang Fu (Vinegar prepared), Myrrh prepared (Mo Yao), Olibanum prepared (Ru Xiang), Turmeric (Jiang Huang), Bitter Almond (Ku Xing Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo (as in Hua Zheng Hui Sheng Pian of the Chinese Pharmacopoea)
3. Cancer of the abdominal Organs:
i. Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu), Costus Mu Xiang, Black Nightshade (Long Kui), Agrimony (Xian He Cao)
ii. Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Scutellaria Ban Zhi Lian
4. Strong Pain from Blood Stasis, Sparganium San Leng with Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
5. Food Stagnation:
i. Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu), Citrus Chen Pi
ii. Sparganium San Leng with Costus Mu Xiang, Betel nut (Bing Lang), Citrus Qing Pi
iii. Sparganium San Leng with Hawthorn (Shan Zha), Costus Mu Xiang
iv. from Spleen deficiency, Sparganium San Leng with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Costus Mu Xiang, Germinated Barley (Mai Ya)
6. Hemiplegia following stroke, Sparganium San Leng with Zedoary (E Zhu), Salvia Dan shen, Levisticum Chuan Xiong, Earthworm (Di Long). (22 cases treated with this formula; most were able to move their limbs within a week, and walk with aid within 2–4 weeks.
7. Urinary stones were treated with Sparganium San Len, Zedoary (E Zhu), Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Paeonia Chi Shao (and others). 100 cases were given the formula every 3 days, 74 were cured, 14 benefited.
Major Formulas:
Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan
Die Da Wan
Hu Po San
Hua Zheng Hui Sheng Pian
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Caution in those taking anti-coagulants.
3. Not used in bleeding disorders.
Drug Interactions:
1. Glauber’s Salt (Sodium sulphate, Mang Xiao) is incompatible with Sparganium, according to TCM.