Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang)-Rehmannia gultinosa

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Rehmanniae

Botanical Name: Rehmannia gultinosa Libosch.

Common Name: Fresh rehmannia root

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun, and then cut into slices.

Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter and cold

Meridians: Heart, liver and kidney

Functions: 1. To clear heat and cool blood; 2. To nourish yin and promote the production of body fluids

1. Exogenous heat invading at the nutritive and blood levels manifested as dry mouth and deep red tongue proper with scanty coating. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen), Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong).

2. Yin and body fluids consumed in the late stage of febrile diseases manifested as fever at night, and subsiding in the morning without presence of sweating. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu), Sweet wormwood (Qinghao) and Turtle shell (Biejia).

3. Hemorrhaging due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis, blood in the urine, bloody stool and functional uterine bleeding. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Biota tops (Cebaiye) and raw Lotus leaf (Heye).

5. Febrile disease with consumption of body fluids manifested as red tongue proper, dry mouth, thirst and excessive drinking. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Fragrant solomonseal rhizome (Yuzhu), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Glehnia root (Shashen) and Dendrobium (Shihu). If there is constipation, Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong).

Dosage: 9-30 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency and excessive dampness in the spleen, full sensation in the abdominal region or diarrhea.