Chang Shan - 常山 - Rhizoma Dichroae

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Rhizoma Dichroae
Common English:	Dichroa Root Feverflower Root

Category

Herbs that Expel Parasites (Anthelmintics)

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter Acrid	Cold Toxic	Heart Liver Lung (Gallbladder)	3-10g Tincture: 2-3ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Stops malarial disorders and kills parasites	This is a special herb for killing the parasites that cause malaria
Induces vomiting to expel Phlegm	Phlegm in the chest Tan Yin

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi Fr. Tsaoko Cao Guo	Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu Hb. Artemisiae Annuae Qing Hao Hb. Verbena Ma Bian Cao	Rx. Astragali Huang Qi Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen Fr. Mume Wu Mei
Malarial disorders	Malarial disorders	Unremitting malarial disorders in the elderly
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang	Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao Honey Feng Mi	Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu
Overcomes the nausea inducing properties of this herb	Induces vomiting for congested fluids in the chest or Food Stagnation in the Stomach	Malarial disorders
Fr. Tsaoko Cao Guo
Malarial disorders with a buffer against emesis

Notes

1. It brings outbreaks of malarial symptoms and fevers under control (an effect tied to its action on Phlegm, as the saying goes, “Without Phlegm, it cannot become a malarial disorder”).
2. According to some sources, this herb Drains Heat, breaks up accumulation and promotes the movement of water.
3. Scrofula is another condition treated with this herb.
4. It is reported to drain Heat and break up accumulations.
5. Taken alone, it may induce vomiting.
6. To avoid vomiting, soak it in sake, sauté it, and prepare it as a tea.
7. For malaria, it is soaked in grain-based alcohol and taken daily until the symptoms subside. Sm. Arecae Bing Lang is usually given at the same time to relieve vomiting.
8. Reportedly, it causes vomiting only when combined with Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao, used raw, or taken in excessive dosage.
9. Recently it has produced remarkable results in hypertension and other cardiac conditions.
10. Chang Shan and Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu both treat malarial disorders. Chang Shan treats the root by unbinding Phlegm, driving out water, washing away Dampness and transforming accumulations. Chai Hu treats malarial disorders only when the pathogen lies in the channels and collaterals, and it is suitable only where onset and resolution are gradual. Given too early or too late, it is inappropriate. It treats only the branch.
11. Dry-fried Dichroa Root Chao Chang Shan tastes less unpleasant and descends more strongly.
12. Prepared Dichroa Root Zhi Chang Shan harmonizes the Stomach, prevents vomiting caused by the taste, and has a stronger descending function.
13. Wine-fried Dichroa Root Jiu Chao Chang Shan is less able to resolve toxins, irritates the gastrointestinal tract less, and prevents vomiting.
14. Folium Dichroa Shu Qi consists of the tender twigs and leaves of the plant. It is bitter, acrid, warm and toxic, and its flavor readily provokes vomiting. As an anti-malarial it is stronger than Chang Shan, but it is also more toxic. It enters the Heart, Liver and Lung channels, and the dosage is 3-6g. It is used for cough and rebellious Qi.