Gouji Guanzhong

　RhizomaWoodwardiaeJapon1cae

Japanese China fernrzome

[alias] Guanzhong, Gongcao and xiyehu Erfeng.

[source] the rhizome and petiole base of Woodwardia japonica (L.f.) sm.

[plant morphology] perennial herb, 65-90cm high. Rhizome stout, short, sloping, densely brown lanceolate scales. The leaves are thick, papery, oblong, 25-80cm long and 20-40cm wide, with two lobes, only small scales at the lower part of the shaft, about 15cm long and 2-3cm wide at the lower part; Lobes triangular or triangular oblong, apex pointed, slightly serrate, veins reticulate, 1-2 rows reticulate, veinlets separated outside reticulate, no veinlets hidden inside. The sporangium group is long and grows on the reticular veins on both sides of the main vein; the sporangium group is long and kidney shaped, with reticular veins on the lateral side and opening to the main vein.

It grows under the sparse forest and in the wet and shady place beside the stream. It grows in the South and southwest of the Yangtze River.

[harvesting] the rhizomes are harvested all year round, and the aboveground parts are cut off and dried in the sun.

[traits] all of them are long cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, 6-26cm in length, 2-7cm in diameter, with reddish brown or dark brown surface. Rhizome stout, densely covered with thick and short petiole base, near the top scale more, brown red. The basal part of the petiole is nearly semicylindrical, falcate curved, with rib like back, enlarged lower end, and a fibrous root often curved; the petiole is hard, with 2-4 vascular bundles in the cross section, and a pair of larger vascular bundles in the inner surface, arranged in a zigzag or slightly curved double curved shape. The Qi is slight and special, and the taste is slightly bitter and astringent.

[chemical constituents] phenolic derivatives.

It is cool in nature and bitter in taste.

[indications] clearing away heat and toxin, killing insects and dispersing blood stasis. It is used for cold, sore, carbuncle, abdominal pain, hematochezia and blood collapse.