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| Latin: |
Rhizoma Paridis polyphyllae |
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| Origin: |
Manyleaf Paris rhizome is the rhizome of the perennial plant Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand., Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch). Hara, or of several other plants of the same genus, of the Liliaceae family. Grown in the mountains, the valley forests, or the wet banks along the streams, it is native to east Asia, and distributed from China to the Himalayas. In China, Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis is grown mainly in the province Yunnan; while Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis is seen in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi and other places.
The plant Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis grows to about 60 cm tall, Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis to 30-100 cm tall. The former is in flower from June to July, in fruit from August to October; while the latter is in flower from April to July, in fruit from August to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
Reaped at the turn of autumn and winter, the fibrous roots are removed from the rhizome, then cleaned, dried in the sun and sliced for use when raw.
Polyphylla means many leaves, thus its name. Also known as Herb Paris. |
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| Properties: |
| Bitter in flavor, slightly cold and slightly toxic in nature, it is related to the liver channel. |
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| Functions: |
| Clears away heat to expel toxic substances, subdues swelling to alleviate pains and removes heat from the liver to arrest convulsions. |
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| Applications: |
1.For treating carbuncles and furuncles and snake bite:
(A) Carbuncles and furuncles:
This herb can be used alone by pulverizing it and mixing it with vinegar for external application and it can also be used together with Chinese goldthread rhizome (Rhizoma Coptidis), herbaceous peony unpeeled root (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), honeysuckle flower (Flos Lonicerae) and licorice, e.g., Duoming Dan.
(B) Scrofula and subcutaneous nodules:
Use it with selfheal spica (Spica Prunellae), oyster shell, fritillary bulb (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii), etc.
(C) Snake bite:
It can be used together with Chinese lobelia (Herba Lobeliae Radicantis) or it can be decocted alone in water for drinking or pulverized alone and mixed with vinegar for the application onto the affected part.
2. To treat traumatic injuries with bleeding:
This herb can be used alone or in combination with pseudo-ginseng root (Radix Notoginseng), dragon's blood resin, pyrite, etc. |
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| Dosage and Administration: |
5-10 g.
Decoct the herb and other ingredients for drinking. Use an adequate amount externally. |
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| Cautions on Use: |
| Manyleaf Paris rhizome should be avoided by anyone with a weak body, with no fire of the excess type or toxic heat or with any yin syndrome with external ulceration or by a pregnant woman. |
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| Reference Materials: |
Shen Nong's Herbal Classic : "To treat convulsions, tremor capitis with frequent protrusion of the tongue and stagnation of heat and qi in the abdomen."
Other Medical Records of Famous Physicians : "To treat epilepsy, skin and external diseases and erosion of vulva by dispelling tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms and removing venom." |
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| Toxic or Side Effects: |
| Slightly toxic. |
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| Modern Researches: |
Manyleaf Paris rhizome contains glocuside, steroid saponin (paridin), acid ingredients, amino acids, etc.
The rhizome has a quite powerful inhibitory effect on Asian influenza A virus and can also inhibit Bacillus dysenteriae, typhoid bacillus, paratyphoid bacillus, Bacillus enteritidis, Bacillus coli, paracolon bacillus, Bacillus pyocyaneus, Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus and Diplococcus meningitidis.
This herb has tranquilizing, analgesic, antitussive and antiasthmatic effects and an obvious protective effect on the bronchial spasms of animals caused by histamine.
The whole plant is febrifuge (removes fever). |
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