PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS RHATANY /641

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole and powdered drug. Prepa-

rations are for internal use.

Preparation: Shoudihuang can be prepared in two ways:

Jiushoudihuang (jiudun method): The drug is simmered in

yellow rice wine over a low flame until all of the wine has

been absorbed (30 to 50 kg for 100-kg drug). It is then dried

in the sun until the.outcr skin (initially slimy) is dry, and is

then cut into 2 to % mm thick slices, which are dried.

Zhengshoudihuang (zheng method): Using this method, the

drug is steamed until it is smooth and black (80% loss of

moisture). It is then cut into 2 to 4 mm thick slices and dried.

Daily Dosage: Decoction — 9 to 15 g drug

Storage: The fresh root is stored in sandy earth, protected
from frost. The dried drug is stored dry in areas having good
air circulation.
LITERATURE
Feng GP, Zhang SD, Yi NY, Effects of Rehmannia glutinosa,
Plastrum testudinis, Aconitum carmichaeli and Cinnamomum
cassia on the beta-adrenergic receptors of hyperthyroid rat
kidneys. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih, 116:606-8, 582,
1986 Oct.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeuuschen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Kubo M, Asano T, Matsuda H, Yutani S, Honda S, Studies on
Rehmanniae radix. III. The relation between changes of
constituents and improvable effects on hemorheology with the
processing of roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Yakugaku Zasshi,
116:158-68, 1996 Feb.
Lu CS, Effects of Rehmannia glutinosa in the treatment of
Sheehan's syndrome. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih,
116:476-8,451, 1985 Aug.
Ni M, Bian B, Wang H. Constituents of the dry roots of
Rehmannia glutinosa. Libosch Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa
Chih, 116:297-8, inside backcover, 1992 May.
Ni M, Bian B, Wang H, On the constituents of rhizome of
Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. forma hueichingensis. Hsiao
Yakugaku Zasshi, 116:593-6, 1971 May.
Yuan Y, Hou S, Lian T, Han Y, Studies of Rehmannia
glutinosa Libosch. f. hueichingensis as a blood tonic. Chung
Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih, 17:366-8, inside backcover, 1992
Jun.

Zha LL, Experimental effect of Rehmannia glutinosa on the
pituitary and adrenal cortex in a glucocorticoid inhibition model

using rabbits. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 116:95-7, 70,

1988 Feb.

Rehmannia glutinosa

See Rehmannia (Di-Huang)

Rhamnus catharticus

See Buckthorn

Rhamnus frangula

See Frangula

Rhamnus purshiana

See Cascara Sagrada

Rhatany

Krameria triandra

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the air-dried root,

separated from the rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The 7 to 12 mm long flowers are spare

terminal racemes. The calyx is petaloid. The sepals are

splayed, lanceolate, dark red, silky-haired on the outside.

The petals are irregular, with 2 glands, wedge-shaped, 3 to 5

mm wide, crimson and spatulate. The flower has 3 stamens.

The ovary is ovate, covered in bristly hairs with a thick

glabrous style. The fruit is solitary angular and bristled. It is

ovate and has numerous red-black bristly thorns.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 0.3 to 1 m high

subshrub whose long, 3 cm thick root is covered in a brown-

red, smooth, peeling bark. The younger branches are dark

green, silky to bristly haired, the older ones are black and

often gnarled. The leaves are entu-e-rnargined, ovate, silver-

gray pubescent, 6 to 15 mm long and 2 to 6 mm wide.

Habitat: Rhatany is mostly found in Peru, but there are a few

areas in countries bordering Peru and in the central Andes

where it is also found.