Schefflera venulosa (Wight et Arn.) Harms
Aliases：Qī Yè Lián (literally "Seven‑Leaf Lotus" — named for its palmate compound leaves usually with 7 leaflets), Wǔ Jiā Fēng (literally "Five‑Plus Wind" — a variant of Wujiapi, referring to its similarity to Acanthopanax species), Mù Kè Mǎi (a transliteration of a local name, meaning uncertain), Wǔ Jiā Pí (literally "Five‑Plus Bark" — a name shared with Acanthopanax gracilistylus, but here referring to a different plant; note the distinction), Lóng Zhuǎ Shù (literally "Dragon‑Claw Tree" — named for its claw‑like leaf arrangement), Hàn Táo Yè (literally "Chinese Peach Leaf" — referring to its leaf shape resembling peach leaves), Wàn Nián Qīng (literally "Ten‑Thousand‑Year Green" — a name shared with several evergreen plants, referring to its evergreen nature), Wǔ Zhuǎ Yè (literally "Five‑Claw Leaf" — named for its palmate leaves with 5–7 leaflets resembling claws), Fú Jiàn É Zhǎng Chái (literally "Fujian Schefflera" — named for its distribution in Fujian), and Lán Yǔ É Zhǎng Chái (literally "Orchid Island Schefflera" — named for its distribution on Orchid Island, Taiwan). These are all alternative names for 密脉鹅掌柴 (Mì Mài É Zhǎng Chái)， i.e., the dried stem and leaf of Schefflera venulosa (Wight et Arn.) Harms.
Mì Mài É Zhǎng Chái (Dense‑veined Schefflera) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried stem and leaf of Schefflera venulosa (Wight et Arn.) Harms, a plant belonging to the family Araliaceae. It grows in evergreen broad‑leaved forests at altitudes of 900–1,500 meters. It was first recorded in Zhonghua Bencao (Chinese Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and relieves pain, activates blood circulation and reduces swelling.
Indications
Rheumatic arthralgia; epigastric pain; traumatic injuries and swelling; fractures; traumatic bleeding. It is also used for headache, toothache, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects: Its traditional effects of dispelling wind and relieving pain, and activating blood circulation to reduce swelling, are consistent with modern anti‑inflammatory and analgesic activities. Antitumor effects: Studies have found that its extracts exhibit inhibitory activity on the proliferation of certain cancer cells, such as mouse breast cancer tsFT210 cells and human leukemia K562 cells. Treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Related research has identified it as a candidate for developing new drugs to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Ingredients
Triterpenoids: β‑Amyrin, oleanonic acid, oleanolic acid, and betulinic acid. Sterols: β‑Sitosterol and β‑sitosterol‑β‑D‑glucoside. Organic acids: Chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid, etc. Others: Saponins, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, etc.
Usage & Dosage
内服：煎汤，9-15g；或浸酒服用。 外用：适量，捣烂敷患处。
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with qi‑blood deficiency‑weakness. This product is slightly toxic and should be used under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For chronic rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic injuries (empirical formula) Take 15-30g of Qiyelian (a local herb), decoct in water and drink. Alternatively, take 120g of the herb, soak in 500g of wine for 48 hours, then take 10ml orally three times daily. Fresh herb may also be crushed and applied externally. For various types of pain (empirical formula) Take 9g of Qiyelian, decoct in water and drink. For pain due to gastric and duodenal ulcers (empirical formula) Take the stem of Qiyelian, decoct in water and drink, or grind into powder and take. For traumatic bleeding (empirical formula) Take the leaves of Qiyelian, crush and apply externally.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried stem and leaf of Schefflera venulosa (Wight et Arn.) Harms, a plant belonging to the family Araliaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
