Mǎ Yá Guàn Zhòng
Aliases：Jīn Máo Gǒu Jǐ (literally "Golden‑Haired Dog Spine" — Note: This is also the name of a different medicinal herb, Cibotium barometz, used for tonifying the liver and kidney. When used as an alias for Mǎ Yá Guàn Zhòng, it refers to the rhizome of Athyrium pachyphlebium.), and Huā Yè Gǒu Yá Qī (literally "Flower‑Leaf Dog‑Tooth Seven" — a local name for Mǎ Yá Guàn Zhòng). (These are alternative names for Mǎ Yá Guàn Zhòng, i.e., the dried rhizome of Athyrium pachyphlebium.)
Mǎ Yá Guàn Zhòng (Mayaguanzhong) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried rhizome of Athyrium pachyphlebium C. Chr., a plant belonging to the family Athyriaceae. It grows in wetlands beside fields and in rock crevices under shrub forests at altitudes of 800–1,200 meters. It is recorded in Zhonghua Bencao (Chinese Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, removes toxicity, stops bleeding, and expels parasites.
Indications
Sores, boils and toxic swellings; dysentery; epistaxis (nosebleeds); and ascariasis (roundworm infection).
Modern Pharmacology
As a regional substitute for “Guanzhong”‑type medicinal materials, it shares similar effects with the official Guanzhong (Mianma Guanzhong, Dryopteris crassirhizoma), but has a different botanical origin and relatively lower toxicity.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy (a general contraindication for “Guanzhong”‑type medicinal materials).
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried rhizome of Athyrium pachyphlebium C. Chr., a plant belonging to the family Athyriaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
