Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma
Aliases：Chāng Pú Yè (Sweetflag Leaf), Shān Chāng Pú (Mountain Sweetflag), Shuǐ Jiàn Cǎo (Water Sword Grass), Xiāng Chāng Pú (Aromatic Sweetflag), Yào Chāng Pú (Medicinal Sweetflag)
Shí Chāng Pú (Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, a plant of the Araceae family. It was listed as a top-grade herb in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer‘s Materia Medica), which states that it “opens the orifices of the heart, tonifies the five viscera, unblocks the nine orifices, brightens the eyes and ears, and improves the voice”.
Efficacy & Actions
Opens the orifices and resolves phlegm, refreshes the mind and benefits intelligence, and resolves dampness to promote appetite. Because it is pungent, warm, and aromatic with a penetrating quality, it enters the Heart meridian to open the heart orifices, benefit the mind, and calm the spirit; it enters the Stomach meridian to resolve dampness, awaken the spleen, and alleviate distension.
Indications
Used for mental confusion and epilepsy due to phlegm-damp turbidity clouding the orifices; forgetfulness, insomnia, tinnitus, and hearing loss; epigastric distension and pain with loss of appetite due to dampness obstructing the middle jiao; and anorexic dysentery (inability to eat due to damp-heat toxin accumulating in the intestines).
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated various activities of Shí Chāng Pú: Central Nervous System Effects: It exhibits sedative, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, learning and memory-enhancing, and anti-brain injury effects. In the treatment of Alzheimer‘s disease, network pharmacology analysis suggests it may act through multi-component, multi-target mechanisms, with key targets including PTGS2 and GSK3B, and pathways involving VEGF signaling. Neuroinflammation Regulation: The volatile oil of Shí Chāng Pú can regulate the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling axis to promote microglial polarization toward the M2 phenotype, thereby improving neuroinflammation in a rat model of tic disorders. Gastrointestinal Regulation: It has regulatory effects on gastrointestinal motility and is used for stomach discomfort.
Ingredients
Shí Chāng Pú mainly contains volatile oils, with the major components being α-, β-, and γ-asarone, along with asarylaldehyde, eugenol, and safrole. Modern isolation studies have also identified various lignan compounds from its rhizomes, including (-)-lyoniresinol, dihydrocubebin, and evofolin B, with some being reported for the first time from this genus.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–6g; fresh material may be used in double the amount; may also be prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for washing; or ground into powder and mixed for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated for single use in cases of yin deficiency with fire excess or blood deficiency with heat: Its warm and drying nature may further deplete yin and blood, aggravating symptoms. Use with caution in cases of external wind-heat or warm-heat, or intense internal excess heat. Incompatible with Ephedra (Má Huáng) and Dida (a Chinese herb). Not suitable for use with acetylcholine or iron preparations such as ferrous sulfate.
Selected Formulas
Shí Chāng Pú Formula for Tinnitus (Empirical Formula, cited from People's Daily Health) Ingredients: 20g Shí Chāng Pú, 10g Licorice (Gān Cǎo). Preparation: Soak in cold water for 1 hour, then decoct with an appropriate amount of water. Efficacy: Resolves phlegm, opens the orifices, unblocks heart qi, and brightens the ears and eyes. Indications: Tinnitus of unknown cause. Dosage: One dose daily, taken twice a day. A 10-day course is recommended.
Daily Consumption
Calming Tea (from Zhongguo Yao Shan Da Ci Dian): 3g Shí Chāng Pú and 9g calcined Dragon Bone (Lóng Chǐ, crushed), decocted in water and drunk as tea for calming the mind. Compatibility: Shí Chāng Pú is often combined with Polygala Root (Yuǎn Zhì), Poria (Fú Líng), and Sour Jujube Seed (Suān Zǎo Rén) for insomnia and forgetfulness; and with Curcuma Root (Yù Jīn) for tinnitus with a sensation of ear fullness.
Medicinal Parts
Dried rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from mold and insects. As it contains volatile oils, it should be kept in an airtight container to prevent loss of aroma.