Bistort Rhizome (flattened cylindrical, purplish-brown, dense circular markings, hard texture)

Bistort Rhizome slices (brownish-red, vascular bundles appear as small dots)

【Name】

Bistort Rhizome

 【Source】

Illustrated Materia Medica

 【Common Usage Level】

F

 【Botanical Origin】

The rhizome of Polygonaceae plant, Polygonum bistorta L., etc.

 【Characteristics】

The dried rhizome is flattened and cylindrical, curved, with blunt or slightly pointed ends, shaped like a “shrimp” and sunken inwards. It is 3-10cm long and about 1-2cm in diameter. The outer surface is purplish-brown, with dense segments and densely distributed layered coarse ring patterns. The top has buds or residual stem scars, and fine, hard fibrous roots or white root scars remain on both sides. It is hard and brittle, and easily broken.
Prepared slices are brownish-red or reddish-brown, with a circle of white small dots formed by vascular bundles near the edge. It is hard in texture, odorless, and tastes bitter and astringent.

 【Identification】

The best quality is large, hard, with a reddish-brown cross-section, and without fibrous roots. In herbal commodities, this product is commonly referred to as Cao He Che (草河車) together with Paris polyphylla, Rhizoma Paridis (重樓), and Seven-Leaf Lian (七葉連).

 【Category】

Rhizomes