Radix Anthrisci Sylvestris
Aliases：Tianqi; Jinshan Tianqi; Tu Baizhi; Guang Sanqi; Huluboi Qi; Nan Tianqi; Shuitian Qi; Tu Danggui; Tu Tianqi; Xiaoye Shanshuiqin.
E Shen is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried root of Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm., a plant in the genus Anthriscus of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). It is a variety authenticated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project. It is recorded in National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Common Chinese Herbal Medicines of Sichuan, Zhejiang Medicinal Plant Flora, Hubei Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Materia Medica, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies Qi and fortifies the Spleen; activates Blood circulation and relieves pain.
Indications
Spleen deficiency with abdominal distension; fatigue and poor appetite; Lung deficiency with cough and wheezing; cough with hemoptysis; spontaneous sweating due to body weakness; frequent nocturia in the elderly; edema due to Qi deficiency; low back pain due to overexertion and strain; headache; dysmenorrhea; traumatic swelling with blood stasis.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Anthriscus Root possesses the following significant pharmacological activities: Antitumor effect: Anthriscin and the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts exhibit strong inhibitory effects on the proliferation of various human tumor cells and induce tumor cell apoptosis. Anthriscin inhibits four types of tumor cells, and its mechanism involves regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and the protein expression of STAT3, P53, and NF-κB. The combination of anthriscin and 5-FU exhibits synergistic inhibitory effects on the three-dimensional multicellular spheroid model of human colon cancer SW480. The petroleum ether extract of Anthriscus Root inhibits the inflammatory microenvironment of colon cancer through the STAT3 signaling pathway and has a certain inhibitory effect on colon cancer. Anti-aging and immunomodulatory effects: Anthriscus polysaccharides can delay aging of the liver and brain tissues in D-galactose-induced aging mice and can also activate T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen, exerting anti-aging effects through immunomodulation. They have potential for development into pharmaceutical preparations, health products, and functional foods for anti-aging or delaying aging. Total flavonoids from Anthriscus Root exhibit in vivo antioxidant effects in D-galactose-induced aging mice. Anti-pulmonary arterial hypertension effect: Total extracts of Anthriscus Root may exert anti-pulmonary arterial hypertension effects by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway to reduce immune inflammation and thrombosis in rats. Metabolomics results indicate that the metabolic pathways significantly affected by total Anthriscus extracts mainly include arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Ameliorative effect on Spleen deficiency models: The water decoction of Anthriscus Root has a certain ameliorative effect on vinegar-induced Spleen deficiency in mice, improving food intake, activity frequency, swimming time, cold tolerance, and organ indices in Spleen-deficient mice. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects: The ethanol extract of Anthriscus Root enhances immune function and possesses anti-inflammatory, hypoxia-tolerant, adaptability-enhancing, and sedative effects. Anthriscus Root possesses anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, immune-regulating, anti-aging, and insecticidal effects. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from modern experimental studies on root extracts and isolated compounds of Anthriscus Root. The modern scientific basis for its traditional effects is being progressively elucidated. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
Anthriscus Root (root) mainly contains the following active constituents: Lignans (principal active constituents): anthriscin, isoanthriscin, 2-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-(3′,4′-methylenedioxybenzyl)butyrolactone, sylvestrin, deoxypodophyllotoxin, yatein, and anhydropodorhizol. Coumarins: nodakenin, scopolin, imperatorin, peucedanol, linibaldol ketone, archangelin, isoimperatorin, and oxypeucedanin. Flavonoids: deep-yellow water-dropwort ketone, apigenin, quercetin, and rutin. Volatile oils: α-pinene, β-myrcene, D-limonene, and p-cymene. Others: It also contains carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, proteins, and organic acids, but no phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, or anthraquinones. Note: The root of Anthriscus mainly contains lignans (such as anthriscin and isoanthriscin), coumarins, flavonoids, and volatile oils. The main volatile constituent of the leaves is (-)-sabinene. The leaf essential oil contains more than ten compounds, including phenol, cresols, and guaiacol. Deoxypodophyllotoxin has also been extracted from the leaves.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 9–15 g; or ground into powder, 3–5 g each time; or steeped in alcohol. External use: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied as a paste.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should use it with caution (the Zhejiang Medicinal Plant Flora records “use with caution during pregnancy”). Not suitable for individuals with edema or Damp-Heat stagnation. Not suitable for long-term or high-dose use. Use with caution in individuals with an allergic constitution. A light diet should be maintained during use.
Selected Formulas
For spleen deficiency with abdominal distension and limb weakness (Zhejiang Medicinal Plant Records) Take 9–15g of E Shen root, stew with an appropriate amount of pork and consume. For food stagnation (Hubei Chinese Herbal Medicine Records) Take 9g of E Shen, 6g each of Qingpi (green tangerine peel) and Chenpi (tangerine peel). Decoct in water and drink. For lung deficiency cough (Wanxian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 12g each of E Shen, Baihe (lily bulb), and Tiandong (Asparagus root), and 9g of Chuanbei (Fritillaria cirrhosa). Decoct in water and drink. For dual deficiency of spleen and lung with cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and pulmonary tuberculosis (Sichuan Chinese Medicine) Take 60g of E Shen, 15g of Yanbaicai (Bergenia purpurascens), 15g of Huangjing (Polygonatum), and 15g of Jixiangcao root (Reineckea carnea). Decoct in water and drink, or stew with lean pork. For frequent urination in the elderly (Wanxian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 12g of E Shen, 9g each of Sangpiaoxiao (mantis egg-case) and Yizhiren (Alpinia oxyphylla). Decoct in water and drink. For traumatic injuries (Hunan Materia Medica; Zhejiang Medicinal Plant Records) (1) Grind E Shen into powder, take 3–5g each time with wine. (2) Take 9–15g of E Shen, soak in wine and drink. For insomnia (Hubei Chinese Herbal Medicine Records) Take 9g of E Shen and 3 pieces of Hongci. Decoct in water and drink.·
Daily Consumption
Anthriscus Root is a dual-purpose medicinal and edible plant. Its root can be stewed with pork and is commonly used as a medicinal food in folk practice. As a Qi-tonifying Chinese herbal medicine, it can be used in soups and alcoholic infusions. Note: Anthriscus Root is a Chinese herbal medicine and should be used under medical guidance when used for treatment. Use with caution during pregnancy. Not suitable for long-term or excessive use.
Medicinal Parts
Root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container. Keep in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and deterioration. Check the condition of the medicinal material regularly to ensure quality.
