Qian Nian Jian (Cylindrical, curved and flat, yellowish-brown, needle-like protrusions)
Qian Nian Jian slices (Scattered fibrous bundles)
【Naming】
【Source】
Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica)
【Commonly Used Degree】
E
【Botanical Origin】
The rhizome of Homalomena occulta (Lour.) Schott, belonging to the Araceae family.
【Characteristics】
The dried rhizome is long cylindrical, curved, and of varying lengths, usually about 40cm long and 6-8mm in diameter. It is reddish-brown or yellowish-brown in color and has a rough surface with numerous twisted, deep longitudinal grooves and yellowish-white needle-like protrusions. The grooves are arranged in layers, each layer about 1.5cm long, ending in a needle-like protrusion. It is brittle and easily broken, with an uneven fracture surface, resinous in appearance, and contains many coarse, tough needle-shaped fiber bundles, scattered with small needle-eye-like holes left after the fibers are removed. The transverse section is light brown to reddish-brown, with yellow dotted fiber bundles scattered throughout. It has an aromatic odor that can be unpleasant with prolonged exposure, and a slightly pungent taste.
【Identification】
The best quality is reddish-brown in color, thick in diameter, and strongly aromatic.
【Category】
Rhizomes