Paris polyphylla (Rhizoma Paridis)

Paris polyphylla (Rhizoma Paridis)

　　The “Four Famous Medicinal Herbs” of Shennongjia

　　Rhizoma Paridis Yunnanensis [Eng] Yunnan Manyleaf Paris Rhizome. Also known as Yunnan Paris polyphylla, Caoheche, or Dujiaolian. It comes from the rhizome of the lily family plant Paris yunnanensis Franch.

　　Plant morphology: A perennial herb. Leaves are 6 to 10 in number, whorled, with petioles 5–20 mm long. Leaf blades are thickly papery, lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate to obovate, 5–11 cm long and 2–4.5 cm wide. Flower stems emerge from the top of the stem, with a single terminal flower. The flower is bisexual, with green, lanceolate or oblong sepals, 3.5–6 cm long. Tepals are linear to slightly lanceolate, yellow, about half to nearly equal in length to the sepals, 2–6 mm wide in the upper middle part. There are 8–10 stamens, with anthers 1–1.5 cm long, filaments shorter than the anthers, and connective protrusions 1–2 mm long. Flowering period is June to July, fruiting period is September to October.

　　It grows in the shady and damp areas under mountain forests or in grassy areas along roadsides. It is mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

　　Harvesting and processing: Can be harvested all year round, but autumn is the best time. Dried in the sun or sliced and then dried.

　　Characteristics: The rhizome is cylindrical or mostly straight, with a few being slightly curved. Diameter 1–6 cm, length 4.5–12 cm. Surface is yellowish-brown, some grayish-brown, relatively smooth; nodes are sparse, protrusions not obvious; stem scars are semicircular or flattened circular, irregularly arranged, surface is flat or slightly raised. Texture is hard, not easily broken, fracture is powdery or somewhat horny. Slight odor, bitter taste.

　　Chemical components: Contains various steroidal saponins, including diosgenin and pennogenin as diglycosides, triglycosides, and tetraglycosides, as well as β-ecdysone, daucosterol, etc.

　　Properties and flavor: Slightly cold in nature, bitter in taste; slightly toxic.

　　Functions and indications: Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and relieves pain, cools the liver and calms convulsions. Used for boils and abscesses, sore throat, snake bites, injuries from falls, and convulsions.