Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae
From HerbLab, herbal encyclopedia of Chinese traditional medicine
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RADIX WIKSTROEMIAE INDICAE(了哥王)
Chinese Medicinal Herbs says: "The herb is bitter in taste and cold, pungent and poisonous in nature. It relieves swelling and hard masses and removes phlegm through eliminating dampness. "
It is the dried root or root bark of wikstroemia, Wikstroemia indica (Thymelaeaceae), which mainly grows in the region south of the Yangtze River. Resin extracted from it has a strong purgation and contains an unknown substance which causes strong stimulation to the skin.
ANTICANCER PHARMACOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
1. Its water decoction shows an inhibitory rate of 45.4% on lymphosarcoma-1 of ascites type in mice. 2. The water decoction of the herb is also found inhibiting cervical cancer-14 and sarcoma-ISO. 3. The methanol extract of the herb manifests a remarkable anticancer activity, with an inhibitory rate of 97% to Ehriich's ascites carcinoma and a T/C value of 180% to lymphocytic leukemia-388.
EXPERIMENTAL FORMULAS
For cancer of the breast:
Collection of Proved Recipes in Hunan reports that 30 to 60 grams of Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae, after being ground into fine powder and mixed with boiled water or millet wine, is taken daily.
For malignant lymphoma:
FuJiang Folk Medicinal Herbs says that 30 grams of Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae is decocted for 4 hours to remove its toxin and the broth is taken orally."
For carcinomatous ascites:
Treatment of Cancer with Medicinal Herbs reported that: "Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae 12g, Herba Lobeliae Radicantis 30g and Pericarpium Lagenariae 30g are decocted and taken daily."
For cancer of the lung and liver:
It is reported in News Bulletin of Medicinal Herbs that 60ml of the water solution of Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae is taken once daily, and a therapeutic course lasts for 20 days.
For various cancers of the body surface:
Chinese Herbology reported that 1500 grams of the fresh leaves of the herb is decocted and the decoction is further boiled into a paste to be mixed with 100 grams of sebum and 200 grams of vaseline, for application to the lesion.
For different types of cancer:
The injection prepared from the herb is injected intramuscularly twice a day, each time 2-5ml.
HISTORICAL COMMENTS
Lingnan Herbology commended that: "The herb is indicative for venereal diseases and malignant sore. " Chinese Medicinal Herbs Growing on Mountains and Plains says: "The herb reduces fever, alleviates water retention and removes stasis."
Guangxi Medicinal Herbs evaluated that: "The herb destroys parasites and removes toxic substances and is effective for leprosy, malignant sore and gonorrhea."
THE AUTHOR'S NOTE
The herb is poisonous and needs 3 to 4 hours' boiling to remove its toxin. Its poison may turn up symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. If poisoning occurs not long after taking the herb, the patient is first given gastrolavage and then thick tea and activated carbon or tannalbin. He may also be given a lot of salty water to drink and intravenous drip with 5% glucose saline. The decoction of 3 grams of Cortex Cinnamomi, 6 grams of Radix Glycyrrhizae and 6 grams of Radix Ledebouriellae is effective for poisoning caused by the herb. According to Poisonous Plants in South China, eating frozen rice porridge can relieve poisoning caused by the herb.
