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Latin pharmacognostic name: Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma

Alternate English names: Japanese knotweed [root] giant knotweed [root]

Alternate Chinese names: 虎杖根 hǔ zhàng gēn

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin (other sources): Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc.

Use: Medicinal

Category: Blood-quickening stasis-transforming agents / Blood-quickening pain-relieving agents

Properties: Bitter; cold.

Channel entry: Liver, gallbladder, and lung channels.

Indications:

• Disinhibits the gallbladder and abates jaundice: Damp-heat jaundice, strangury, and vaginal discharge.
• Clears heat and resolves toxin: Burns and scalds; toxin swelling of welling-abscesses and sores, venomous snake bites.
• Quickens the blood, dispels stasis, and settles pain: Blood stasis amenorrhea, menstrual pain, and injury from knocks and falls.
• Dispels phlegm and relieves cough: Lung heat cough.
• Frees the stool: Hǔ zhàng has a precipitating action that is used to free the stool in the case of constipation due to heat bind.

Dosage & Method: Oral: 10–30g, used as a decoction. Externally, it is either decocted and used as a wash or pounded to a pulp (if the fresh form is used). Other topical applications make use of the powdered form, mixed with sesame oil.

Warnings: Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Quality: Thick rhizomes with solid hearts are the best.

Product Area: Central and southern regions of China.

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