Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) (Hei Sheng Ma – Black Sheng Ma) (Cavity Tooth Root) (Irregular lumps, dark brown, decayed round holes at the base of the stem)

Hei Sheng Ma (Black Sheng Ma) Slices (Guilian Sheng Ma – Ghost Face Sheng Ma) (Reticulated groove fibers)

Honey-fried Sheng Ma Slices

Guang Sheng Ma

Guang (Green) Sheng Ma Slices

【Naming】

Sheng Ma

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, Upper Class

 【Common Use Degree】

A

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L., Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komar., or Cimicifuga dahurica Maxim. (Family Ranunculaceae).
Guang Sheng Ma is the root of Serratula chinensis S. Moore (Family Compositae).

 【Characteristics】

Chuan Sheng Ma is cylindrical or irregularly lumpy, slightly curved, with many branches, about 8~20㎝ long and 1.5~3.5㎝ in diameter. It is brownish-black. The upper part has several large stem bases remaining, and the lower side or both sides have numerous fibrous roots. The stem base is nearly circular, with a diameter of about 0.5~3㎝, and the middle is decayed into a hollow, with light yellow flaky wood visible. The roots are thin and cylindrical, about 1~3㎜ in diameter, quite tough, and the rhizome surface has raised fine stripes. It is hard and light, not easy to break, has a burnt smell, and tastes bitter.
Guan Sheng Ma has a horizontal, irregular, long, lumpy rhizome, slightly curved, and mostly branched into strips and nodules, 6~15㎝ long and 1.5~2㎝ in diameter. The surface is brownish-brown to dark brown, with scorch marks. The upper surface has several round-hole-shaped stem bases, about 2㎝ in diameter. The hole cross-section has radial grooves. The lower surface has fine roots and root scars that have not been removed. Reticulated vascular bundle textures can be seen where the outer skin has fallen off. It is hard and light. The cross-section is yellowish-white, has a slight odor, and tastes slightly bitter and astringent.
The three types of Sheng Ma have similar shapes. The main difference is that Guan Sheng Ma has larger round hollow stem remnants, while Bei Sheng Ma is slightly smaller and denser. Chuan Sheng Ma is thinner and more solid, with denser and smaller hollows.
Prepared slices are thin, transversely or obliquely cut slices, about 1~3㎜ thick. The cross-section is yellowish-white to light brownish-black, and the cortex is very thin. Most of the parenchyma cells of the wood are wrinkled, and radial reticulated stripes composed of vessels and fiber bundles can be seen. The medulla has hollows. Honey-fried Sheng Ma: The color deepens after being honey-fried.
Guang Sheng Ma (Green Sheng Ma): The root is long and cylindrical, 8~15㎝ long and 0.4~1㎝ in diameter, slightly twisted, the surface is grayish-brown, and stem scars can sometimes be seen at the top. The texture is firm and brittle, easy to break, and the cross-section is grayish-yellow and powdery.

 【Processing】

1. Raw Sheng Ma 2. Honey-fried Sheng Ma

 【Identification】

Yifang Leiju: “New Sheng Ma with a white interior is good.” Bencao Pinhui Jingyao: “Roots that are firm and solid are good.” Ren Shu Bian Lan: “Sheng Ma from Sichuan is good.” Bencao Beiyao: “The inside is white and the outside is black, those that are tight and solid are good, called Guilian Sheng Ma (Ghost Face Sheng Ma).” Liang Lie Jianbie: “The outer skin is purplish-black, the inside has light brown reticulations, and those that are fat and large are superior.”
Hei Sheng Ma is best when it is large and firm, black in color, with stem remnants and villous roots removed, and the cross-section is white or yellowish-green and loose. Those with stem remnants and those that have been excessively scorched are secondary. Guang Sheng Ma is best when the roots are fat and large, firm, and without fibrous roots.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. Huo Liao Sheng Ma (Scorched Sheng Ma): Refers to the use of fire to scorch off the fibrous roots during the processing of Sheng Ma medicinal materials. Therefore, the surface of genuine Sheng Ma is black, and scorch marks from the burnt fibrous roots can be seen.
2. Guilian Sheng Ma (Ghost Face Sheng Ma): Sheng Ma is in the shape of irregular nodules and lumps, the surface is brownish-black, there are stem scars with several round holes, and reticulated veins are exposed where the outer skin has fallen off. The shape is special and ugly, and it is metaphorically called a ghost face.
3. Kulong Ya Gen (Cavity Tooth Root): Sheng Ma has fire scorch marks and hard, fine fibrous root remnants, with hollow round stem base scars on the top, commonly called Kulong Ya Gen.

 【Category】

Rhizomes