Xu Duan - Dipsacus asper

Professional Data
 Pin Yin
Xu Duan
 
 Latin
Radix Dipsaci
 Introduction Back to Top
Radix Dipsaci is the dried root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng at T. M. Ai; (Fam. Dipsacaceae). The drug is collected in autumn, removed from the root stock and rootlet, baked to half-dryness, piled up until a green colour is developed inside, and then baked to dryness.
 Western medical Back to Top
This herb is used to treat threatened abortion, soft tissue injury, dysfunctionaluterine bleeding, impotence, etc..
 Eastern medical Back to Top
  • Pattern: Nourishes the Liver and Kidney, strengthens Tendon and Bone, stops bleeding, prevents miscarriage, treats injury and fracture.
  • Properties: Bitter, pungent, slightly warm.
  • Channels entered: Liver and Kidney.
 Chemical constituents Back to Top
xu duan contains sucrose, daucosterol, b-sitosterol, triterpenoid saponin, hederagenin, ursol aldehyde and ursolic acid, etc..
 Pharmacological actions Back to Top
Miscellaneous effects

xu dan had inhibitory effect on diplococcus pneumoniae, and could antagonize avitaminosis of vitamine E. It could elevate peripheral WBC and promote tissue regeneration. It also had hemostatic effect and could promote milk generation.

 Clinical Studies Back to Top
Hyperosteogeny

Gu Ci Wan (bai shao, mu gua, sheng yu mi, 30g each; xu duan, dang gui, qin jiao, wei ling xian, chuan niu xi, gou ji, bi xie, 15g each; zhi chuan wu, zhi cao wu, hong hua, gan cao, 10g each; xi xin, tian nan xing, 6g each; honeyed pill, 9g each pill), 1 pill, bid, one month as a course of treatment. 133 cases of hyperosteogeny were treated, 102 were markedly effective, 19 effective and 12 was poor.

Cervical spondylopathy

xu duan 25g; gu sui bu, ji xue teng, wei ling xian, 20g each; chuan niu xi, lu jiao shuang, ze lan, 15g each; dang gui, ge gen, 10g each. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose daily, water decoction. 78 cases of cervical spondylopathy were treated, 25 were cured, 32 markedly effective, 17 improved and 4 ineffective.

Threated abortion

xu duan, dang shen, huang qi, shan yao, du zhong, gou qi, e jiao (melt), su geng, huang qin, bai shao, 15g each; bai zhu 20g; sha ren 3g; gan cao 9g. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 93 cases of threatened abortion were treated, 89 were effective.

Oligospermia

huang jing, gou qi, 20g each; dang gui, shu di, lu feng fang, rou cong rong, 15g each; xu duan, tu si zi, tong ji li, zi he che, zhi mu, huang bo, nu zhen zi, he shou wu, 10g each. All drugs were made into honeyed pill, 15g, tid, one month as a course of treatment. After 15~152 days' treatment, among 52 cases of oligospermia, 20 were markedly effective, 17 effective and 15 ineffective.

 
 References Back to Top

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998