Luó Hàn Sōng Gēn Pí (Podocarpus Root Bark) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried root bark of Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don or Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don var. maki Endl., plants belonging to the family Podocarpaceae. It was first recorded in Zhejiang Tianmushan Yaozhi (Medicinal Records of Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang).

Efficacy & Actions

Activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, dispels wind‑dampness, kills parasites, and relieves itching.

Indications

Traumatic injuries; rheumatic arthralgia; tinea (fungal skin infections).

Usage & Dosage

For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g. For topical application: take an appropriate amount, mash and apply; or decoct in water for fumigation and washing.

Selected Formulas

For traumatic injuries (Tianmu Mountain Medicinal Plant Records) Take equal amounts of fresh root bark of small Podocarpus (Xiao Luohansong) and Kushen (Sophora flavescens) root. Add yellow wine, crush together, and apply to the injured area. Change the dressing once daily. For tinea corporis (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take equal amounts of fresh Podocarpus root bark (soaked in vinegar for half a day) and fresh Yangti (Rumex japonicus), with an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Crush together and apply to the affected area, twice daily.

Medicinal Parts

Dried root bark.

Selection & Storage

Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.