Nardostachys (curved like a shrimp, withered leaves and remnant bases)
Nardostachys (shriveled and brownish-red, yellowish woody center, light and brittle texture, often cracked skin)
【Name】
【Source】
Song Kaibao Era
【Common Usage Level】
F
【Botanical Origin】
The root and rhizome of Nardostachys chinensis Batal., belonging to the Valerianaceae family.
【Characteristics】
Rhizomes and roots, the overall shape is curved like a shrimp, thick at the top and thin at the bottom. The rhizome is attached with remnants of above-ground stems and multiple layers of withered leaf bases, which are brownish-black. The remnants of the above-ground stems are hollow and appear brown. The main root is columnar, single, about 5-13cm long and about 0.3-1cm in diameter, with a wrinkled surface, brownish-red in color, often splitting into flakes, and the central woody part is grayish-brown. Young roots and fibrous roots are curved, with a wrinkled surface, light brownish-yellow in color, loose in texture, easily broken, with an aromatic odor, and a bitter taste.
【Identification】
Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (Seeking Truth in Materia Medica): “The ones with leaves as dense as Imperata cylindrica are good.”
The whole body is nodular and shrimp-shaped, with many beards on the outside (called Shrimp Nardostachys in Fujian and other places). The best ones are those with plump main roots, long strips, strong aroma, purplish-black color, light texture, sufficient fragrance, and free from debris and sand.
【Category】
Rhizomes