Herba Euonymi Chinensis
Aliases：Du Zhong Teng (an alias of Chinese Euonymus).
Hua Wei Mao (Chinese Euonymus) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the whole plant of Euonymus chinensis Lindl., a plant in the family Celastraceae. It grows on hillsides at forest edges. It is recorded in Chinese Materia Medica, National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels Wind and eliminates Dampness; strengthens the sinews and bones.
Indications
Rheumatic pain of the lower back and legs; low back pain due to Kidney deficiency; traumatic injuries; hypertension.
Modern Pharmacology
Dedicated pharmacological research on Chinese Euonymus itself remains insufficient. The following findings are primarily derived from chemical and pharmacological studies on plants of the genus Euonymus, and are provided for reference: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: Euonymus extracts possess good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibits the strongest antioxidant activity, while the ethyl acetate and petroleum ether fractions possess good anti-inflammatory activity. Hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects: The total flavonoid contents in the effective fractions of Euonymus for hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects are 3.055% and 38.80%, respectively. Both fractions exhibit antioxidant activity, and their hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects may be related to this antioxidant activity. Central inhibitory effect: After intraperitoneal injection of water extracts and concentrated decoctions of Euonymus leaves, wings, and stems at 4–10 g/kg in mice, a sedative effect rapidly appeared within about 10 minutes. Euonymus also significantly potentiated the central inhibitory effects of sodium barbital and thiopental sodium. Antibacterial effect: Euonymus species possess antibacterial, anti-allergic, and other pharmacological activities. Flavonoids are an important class of constituents in medicinal Euonymus plants, with effects including reducing vascular fragility and abnormal permeability, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Hypotensive effect: The traditional indications of Chinese Euonymus include hypertension. CloudTCM records that it possesses hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and antitumor effects. Antitumor and insecticidal effects: The pharmacological activities of Euonymus species include antitumor effects, insect antifeedant effects, insecticidal effects, anti-HIV effects, and effects on the cardiovascular system. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from studies on other species of the genus Euonymus (such as Euonymus alatus, Winged Euonymus). Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Chinese Euonymus (the whole plant of E. chinensis) remains to be further conducted. Special warning: Chinese Euonymus is toxic; oral use should be approached with caution. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Dedicated pharmacological research on Chinese Euonymus itself remains insufficient. The following findings are primarily derived from chemical and pharmacological studies on plants of the genus Euonymus, and are provided for reference: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: Euonymus extracts possess good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibits the strongest antioxidant activity, while the ethyl acetate and petroleum ether fractions possess good anti-inflammatory activity. Hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects: The total flavonoid contents in the effective fractions of Euonymus for hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects are 3.055% and 38.80%, respectively. Both fractions exhibit antioxidant activity, and their hypoglycemic and anti-myocardial ischemic effects may be related to this antioxidant activity. Central inhibitory effect: After intraperitoneal injection of water extracts and concentrated decoctions of Euonymus leaves, wings, and stems at 4–10 g/kg in mice, a sedative effect rapidly appeared within about 10 minutes. Euonymus also significantly potentiated the central inhibitory effects of sodium barbital and thiopental sodium. Antibacterial effect: Euonymus species possess antibacterial, anti-allergic, and other pharmacological activities. Flavonoids are an important class of constituents in medicinal Euonymus plants, with effects including reducing vascular fragility and abnormal permeability, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Hypotensive effect: The traditional indications of Chinese Euonymus include hypertension. CloudTCM records that it possesses hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and antitumor effects. Antitumor and insecticidal effects: The pharmacological activities of Euonymus species include antitumor effects, insect antifeedant effects, insecticidal effects, anti-HIV effects, and effects on the cardiovascular system. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from studies on other species of the genus Euonymus (such as Euonymus alatus, Winged Euonymus). Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Chinese Euonymus (the whole plant of E. chinensis) remains to be further conducted. Special warning: Chinese Euonymus is toxic; oral use should be approached with caution. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 30–60 g; or steeped in alcohol. External use: Appropriate amount, pounded and applied topically.
Contraindications
The entire plant is toxic; oral use should be approached with caution. Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated in patients with hypertension or liver disease, and during pregnancy (when consumed as an alcoholic infusion). Use with caution in women during menstruation and in patients with bleeding disorders. Avoid cold and raw foods during use. Not suitable for long-term or high-dose use.
Selected Formulas
1、 For rheumatic lumbago and leg pain, and kidney-deficiency low back pain (Guangdong Huiyang Prefecture Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30–60g of Duzhongteng (Huaweimao). Decoct in water and drink. 2、 For hypertension (Guangdong Huiyang Prefecture Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 60g each of Duzhongteng and Liangfencao (Mesona chinensis), and 30g of Yuyejinhua (Mussaenda pubescens). Decoct in water and drink. 3、 For rheumatic lumbago and leg pain, kidney-deficiency low back pain, traumatic injuries, and hypertension (Hunan empirical formula, Hunan Materia Medica) Take 15g each of the root, stem, and leaves of Huaweimao. Decoct in water and drink.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight.
