Zhu Ma Gen

Naming

Zhu Ma Gen (Radix Boehmeriae)——Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous physicians)

The Processing of Zhu Ma Gen

Origin

The root and rhizome of perennial herb Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. of family Boehmeriae.

Location

South China, southwest China, mainly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui provinces in China.

Harvest

Collected in spring and winter.

The actual smell and taste

Light smell and bland taste.

Best quality

Grayish brown color, not hollow inside.

Processing

Washed and dried in the sun; sliced and unprocessed.

The Effect of Zhu Ma Gen

Property

Sweet, cold; heart and liver meridians entered.

Actions

Cool blood to stop bleeding, prevent abortion, clear heat and relieve toxicity.

Indications

A. Bleeding caused by blood heat

This herb is cold in nature, enters the blood system, and has the action of cooling blood and stopping bleeding. Therefore, it is indicated for various bleeding caused by blood heat. It can be used singly in decoction when the bleeding is not severe. It is combined with other blood-cooling hemostatics when the illness is severe. For continual bleeding associated with the signs of collapse qi due to hemorrhage, it is combined with the signs of collapse of qi due to hemorrhage, it is combined with Ren Shen that can strongly tonify qi to rescue from the collapse in Zhu Gen San from Sheng Ji Zong Lu.

B. Threatened abortion and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy

This herb not only stops bleeding but clears heat, favorable to threatened abortion due to fetus heat and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. For abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it is decocted singly recorded in Mei Shi Fang (Mei Shi's Prescription). For threatened abortion caused by blood-deficiency and damage due to overstrain, it is combined with herbs that can nourish blood and prevent abortion. For instance it is combined with E Jiao, Dang Gui, and Bai Shao, etc. in Zhu Gen Tang from Xiao Pin Fang (Small Prescriptions).

C. Abscess and swelling due to heat-toxin

It is cold in nature and can clear heat and relieve toxicity. So it is indicated for abscess and swelling due to heat-toxin. It is mainly used externally and pounded into paste to be applied on the affected area.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 15~30 g and orally take the juice pounded by 30~60 s of the fresh. Proper dose is used externally, or made decoction for washing, or pounded into paste applied externally.