Large-leaved Aristolochia, a name in traditional Chinese medicine.It is the tuberous root of Aristolochia austroszechuanica Chien et C.Y. Cheng ex C.Y. Cheng et J.L. Wu, a plant of the Aristolochiaceae family. It is distributed in Hubei, southern Sichuan, and northern Guizhou. It has the therapeutic effects of regulating qi, relieving pain, draining pus, and detoxifying. It is commonly used to treat qi stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, rheumatic joint pain, osteoarticular tuberculosis, and venomous snake bites.
Large-leaved Blue-scented Wood
Large-leaved Aristolochia, a name in traditional Chinese medicine.It is the tuberous root of Aristolochia austroszechuanica Chien et C.Y. Cheng ex C.Y. Cheng et J.L. Wu, a plant of the Aristolochiaceae family. It is distributed in Hubei, southern Sichuan, and northern Guizhou. It has the therapeutic effects of regulating qi, relieving pain, draining pus, and detoxifying. It is commonly used to treat qi stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, rheumatic joint pain, osteoarticular tuberculosis, and venomous snake bites.
Chinese Name : 大叶青木香
Aliases : Sichuan Stephania, Pumpkin Leaf, Broad-leaved Frankincense, Kudzu Vine
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Promotes the flow of qi, relieves pain, drains pus, and detoxifies.
Indications
Mainly used to treat qi stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, rheumatic joint pain, tuberculous bone and joint disease, and venomous snake bites.
Usage and Dosage
Large-leaved Aquilaria can be used both internally and externally. 1. Internal use: Decoct 3–6 g in water; or grind into a powder. 2. External use: Take an appropriate amount, grind into a powder, mix with alcohol, and apply as a poultice.
Precautions
1. Patients requiring treatment with traditional Chinese medicine should first consult a licensed TCM hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional differential diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate herbal formula. 2. If you need to take other medications concurrently during treatment, consult your doctor or pharmacist first. Do not take any medications on your own, as this may cause drug interactions that could affect efficacy or increase the risk of adverse reactions. 3. Pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, and breastfeeding women must proactively inform their doctor of their physiological status (such as stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding status) before taking this medication, so that the doctor can assess the safety and suitability of the medication based on individual circumstances.
Chemical Constituents
According to preliminary analysis, in addition to containing large amounts of starch, cellulose, sugars, tannins, and pigments, the tuberous roots also contain four types of alkaloids and a white crystalline substance.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Compendium of Hubei Chinese Herbal Medicines*: “Promotes qi circulation and relieves pain; detoxifies and expels pus. Used for stomach pain, rheumatoid arthritis, orchitis, osteotuberculosis, chronic osteomyelitis, and other conditions.”
2. *Compendium of Sichuan Chinese Herbal Medicines* (1982 edition): “Used for epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, and venomous snake bites.”
Applications
Notes
References for this entry: 1. *Chinese Materia Medica*. 2. *Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines*.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Can be harvested year-round. Dig up the tuberous roots, remove the aboveground parts and soil, wash thoroughly, and sun-dry or dry over a low, smokeless fire.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
The tuber is oval or knobby, 3–10 cm in diameter, with a grayish-brown surface.
Properties of Processed Slices
Cut into slices 1.5–3 cm thick; the cross-section is pale yellowish-white, with scattered irregular vascular bundles, and has a mealy texture. It has a faint odor and a slightly astringent taste.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
A plant of the genus Aristolochia in the family Aristolochiaceae, specifically Southern Sichuan Aristolochia.
Morphological Characteristics
A woody vine, growing up to several meters in length.
1. Tuberous roots: The underground tuberous roots are round and large; some are long and constricted.
2. Stem: Densely covered with rust-colored, thick hairs; rarely nearly smooth and glabrous.
3. Leaves: Petioles 4–8 cm long, hairy; leaf blades leathery, cordate or ovate-cordate, 9–20 cm long, 6–18 cm wide, with a blunt or acute apex, cordate base, entire margins; on the underside, both the main and secondary veins are raised, forming a rectangular reticulate pattern; the veins are densely covered with rust-colored hairs, and the margins bear long, dense cilia.
4. Flowers: Racemes, 1–2 per axil or lateral on old stems, bearing 1–3 flowers;The perianth tube is yellowish-green, covered with rust-colored hairs on the outside and white soft hairs on the inside; it is S-shaped and bent, with the apex expanded into a spreading triangular-circular lobe. The margin of the lobe is shallowly 3-lobed and bears fine purple punctate warts; the tube opening is located in the center of the lobe, surrounded by a smooth, wart-free fleshy cushion that is yellowish-brown;There are 6 stamens, without filaments, arranged in pairs below the stigma lobes; the gynostemium is nearly spherical; the stigma is 3-lobed, with triangular-ovate lobes that are outwardly curled at the margins and cover the stamens. Flowering period: March–April.
5. Capsule: Long-ovate, approximately 5 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter, brown when mature, splitting into 6 valves from the apex downward, and covered with rust-colored hairs. Fruit ripens from July to August.
6. Seeds: Triangular-ovate, with a slightly concave ventral surface.
Distribution Area
Distributed in Hubei, southern Sichuan, and northern Guizhou.
Growth Habits
Prefers warm, humid environments. Cultivation is best suited to sunny locations with deep, fertile, and well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods
Propagation is typically by layering and cuttings.