Horseshoe root

Horseshoe root

(selected Chinese herbal medicines from Simao, Yunnan)

[synonym] Dryopteris crassipes.

[source] it is the rhizome of Athyriaceae.

[plant morphology] Dryopteris megalotta

The plant is tall. The rhizome is spherical and hypertrophic. Large 1-3 pinnate compound leaves, papery, petiole thick and long, with 2 fleshy stipule like appendages (shaped like horseshoe) at the base; pinnae oblong, 48 cm long, 20-30 cm wide, stipe about 6 cm long, brown; pinnules broadly lanceolate, nearly opposite, basal pinnules 10-12 cm long, upper pinnules 16-22 cm long, 3 cm wide; sporangia oblong, 2 mm long, Close to each other, arranged in 2 rows along the dorsal edge of pinnules, brown.

Born in the mountain forest, water and other wet places. It is distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi and other places.

[collection] it can be collected all year round, washed, sliced and dried.

Bitter and astringent, cold.

Functions and indications: heat clearing and detoxification, hemostasis, dampness removing and diuresis. Treatment of enteritis, dysentery, food stagnation, abdominal distension. Nephritis, edema, tuberculosis, hemoptysis, HAEMORRHEA, contusion, rheumatism, gastric and duodenal ulcer.

[usage and dosage] oral administration: decoction, 0.5-1 Liang; or grinding powder.