Rehmannia root (Sheng di huang)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Rehmanniae
Botanical Name: Rehmannia gultinosa Libosch.
Common Name: Fresh rehmannia root
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:
The roots are dug in spring or autumn.
After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun,
and then cut into slices.
Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter and cold
Meridians: Heart, liver and kidney
Functions: 1. To clear heat and cool blood; 2. To nourish yin and promote
the production of body fluids
Indications & Combinations:
1. Exogenous heat invading at the nutritive and blood levels manifested as dry
mouth and deep red tongue proper with scanty coating. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang)
is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen), Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) and Ophiopogon
root (Maidong).
2. Yin and body fluids consumed in the late stage of febrile diseases manifested
as fever at night, and subsiding in the morning without presence of sweating.
Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu),
Sweet wormwood (Qinghao) and Turtle shell (Biejia).
3. Hemorrhageing due to extravasation of blood by heat
manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis, blood in the urine, bloody stool
and functional uterine bleeding. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used
with Biota tops (Cebaiye) and raw Lotus leaf (Heye).
4. Febrile disease with excessive toxic heat in the blood, epistaxis and
maculopapule. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao),
Moutan bark (Mudanpi) and Red peony (Chishao).
5. Febrile disease with consumption of body fluids manifested as red tongue
proper, dry mouth, thirst and excessive drinking. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang)
is used with Fragrant solomonseal rhizome (Yuzhu), Ophiopogon root (Maidong),
Glehnia root (Shashen) and Dendrobium (Shihu). If there is constipation, Fresh
rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and
Ophiopogon root (Maidong).
Dosage: 9-30 g
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with
deficiency and excessive dampness in the spleen, full sensation in the abdominal
region or diarrhea.