Xu Changqing (Slender cylindrical stem, papery leaves, greyish-green, longitudinally rolled, rhizome columnar, with short, curved segments, roots slender, numerous, clustered, with a fragrance of Moutan bark)
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Superior Class
【Common Usage Level】
E
【Botanical Origin】
Root and rhizome or whole plant with roots of Cynanchum paniculatum (Bge.) Kitag., a plant in the Asclepiadaceae family.
【Characteristics】
1. The dried whole plant has a slender cylindrical stem, greyish-green surface, slightly purplish at the base, with fine longitudinal stripes. Slightly brittle, with fibrous fracture surface. Leaves are papery, greyish-green, often longitudinally rolled, with prominent midrib on the underside, pale yellow, leaves on the lower part of the stem often fall off.
2. The dried rhizome is short and curved, 0.5-3.5cm long, dark yellowish-brown, with warty raised root scars on the surface, sometimes with linear segments. The roots are slender, numerous and clustered, about 1mm in diameter, with a dark greyish-brown surface. Brittle and easily broken, with a relatively flat, powdery fracture surface. Fragrant odor, slightly acrid taste.
【Category】
Whole Herb Category