Derris

Derris

(Fujian folk herbal medicine)

[synonym] poisonous fish vine (pharmacognosy by Li Chenghu) and basket vine (main poisonous plant in South China).

[source] it is the root or whole grass of the leguminous plant Derris angustifolia.

[plant morphology] Caulis Spatholobi

Climbing shrubs, all bare. It has 5 leaflets, 3 or 7 in between, with short petiole, nearly leathery, ovate oblong to oblong, 4-8 cm long, apex acuminate and obtuse, base rounded. Racemes axillary or lateral on old branches, often unbranched, 5-10 cm long; petioles clustered, slightly longer than calyx; calyx campanulate, ca. 2 mm long, nearly bald, with indistinct obtuse teeth; corolla butterfly, pink, ca. 10 mm long; flagellum nearly reniform, apex rounded, sometimes emarginate, apex rounded, keel semicircular, wing and keel base with a sharp apex Ear; stamen 10; ovary sessile, style linear, incurved. Pods flat and thin, obliquely ovate or oblong, 2.5-4 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, bare, with narrow wings on the upper seam; seeds 1, nearly kidney shaped. The flowering period is August. The fruiting period is September.

Born in the mountains and forests or cultivated. It is distributed in the southeast of China.

[collection] harvest in summer.

[chemical constituents] rotenone, rotenone, grifolin and isogrifolin were found in the roots and rhizomes of Derris angustifolia.

[pharmacological action] the roots of these plants contain rotenone and its derivatives, commonly known as rotenone. Rotenone is highly toxic to insects and fish, but less toxic to mammals. The lethal dose of rotenone is 0.5 mg / kg by intravenous injection in dogs, but 600 times more by oral administration. Generally, 0.2 g / kg by oral administration does not cause death. The oral toxicity of rotenone seems to be higher than that of rotenone. Frequent exposure to dust can lead to liver injury (steatosis). Rotenone poisoning can cause vomiting, respiratory depression, convulsion, and finally death of respiratory paralysis. The content of rotenone was the highest (12% in root) in Derris hirsuta, but lower in other species. The roots of Derris formosana also contain rotenone, which can be used for fishing, crop insecticide and mosquito larva poisoning.

[nature and taste] Fujian folk herbal medicine: "bitter, pungent, warm, toxic. "

[function indications] it is used to treat swelling, pain and tinea.

① Li Chenghu's pharmacognosy: "as a medicine for scabies. "

② Fujian folk herbal medicine: "killing insects and detoxifying. Treat tinea pedis. "

③ "Dispersing blood stasis, relieving pain, killing insects" is a common Chinese herbal medicine manual of Guangzhou army. It is used to treat swelling and pain (skin is not broken), stir fry with powder and wine, and apply hot compress on the affected area. "

[usage and dosage] external use: appropriate amount, grind the powder, apply it or wash it with boiling water.

Don't take it orally.