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Bistorta, Bistort

Also called Snakeweed, Snake-root; Columbrina, Serpentaria, Serpentaria vulgaris, Dracunculus
Quan Shen  拳参 (TCM)
Gla sgang  གླ་སྒང༌  (Tibetan)
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485

Hortus Medicus, Graves, 1834

Bistort root
Notes on Pharmacognosy,
Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Bistort root
A Manual of Organic Materia Medica,
Maisch, 1882
Botanical name:
Polygonum bistorta (syn. Persicaria bistorta) (West, TCM)
P. viviparum is also used as a source of the drug in Unani.
P. macrophyllum (syn. P. sphaerostachyum) is used in Tibet.
Salmon listed several varieties:
  1. Greater Bistort
  2. Lesser Bistort
  3. Broad-leaved Bistort
  4. Greater Mountain Bistort
  5. Lesser Alpine Bistort
  6. Low-leafed Bistort

Parts used:
Root; also the Leaf and juice of the herb

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter

Classifications:
2N. REPELLENT.   2O. ASTRINGENT.   2P. HEMOSTATIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC

Uses:
1. Clears Heat, stops Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, Colitis, Diverticulitis
-excess Sweating
-Ruptures, Hernia in Children or the Elderly
-prevents Miscarriage
-Diabetes, Incontinence (powdered Leaf can be used also)
-Consumption and Night-sweats

2. Cools the Blood, Clears Stasis, Stops Bleeding:
-bleeding from the Stomach, Lungs, Hemorrhoids, or excessive Menstruation
-powder can be used topically to stop bleeding
-decoction in wine (or the Essence or tincture) 'dissolves congealed Blood' (Salmon)
-whole plant decocted in equal parts wine and water stops Bleeding and resolves Bruising after Trauma

3. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Resolves Swelling:
-inflammation, swelling and tumors of the Jaws or Throat
-Scrofula, Lymphadenitis
-Fibroid Tumors, Cancer

4. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-prevents infection from Epidemic diseases
-all types of Fever
-used for Small Pox, Measles and other spotted Fevers
-venereal diseases including Gonorrhea
-venomous Bites including Snake bite
-the acid (vinegar) tincture is most effective against Poison and Infection

5. Clears Heat and Wind, Stops Spasms:
-convulsions, epilepsy, tetanus, spasms

6. Kills Worms:
-Leaf in Powder taken in 1 dram doses for Worms in Children (Salmon)

7. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Jaundice
-Fixed Salt of the root or whole plant is most effective

8. Externally:
-Trauma, Bruising
-puncture Wounds and Wounds of the Nerves, the oil in which the root or whole herb is boiled in applied
-wash or ointment for Sores, Wounds, Ulcers, Running sores
-mouthwash for Inflamed Mouth and Gums, loose teeth, spongy gums
-Canker sore and Sores of the Mouth and Throat, acid (vinegar) tincture as a wash or gargle
-in enemas for chronic Diarrhea or Dysentery
-douches for Leukorrhea or Ulcers of the Womb
-Ointment for Hemorrhoids or Anal Fissures
-juice is used for Polyps


Dose:
Decoction of the Root: 3–6 grams
Powder of the Root or Leaf: 1–3 grams
Of the Juice: 3–6 spoonfuls in wine to stop Bleeding and resist Poison.
Of the Fixed Salt: 10 grains–1 scruple

Correctives:
Ginger; Honey

Substitutes:
Tormentil

Main Combinations:
Bistort & Tormentil

1. Spotted Fevers and other infectious diseases: Bistort with Angelica, Zedoary
2. Intermittent Fever: Bistort with Calamus and Gentian
3. Malaria, combine with Gentian
4. Apoplexy, Bistort with Gentian Zedoary, Angelica, Balm, Blessed Thistle, Citron peel, Aloeswood, Cinnamon, Clove, Mace
5. Gonorrhea:
i. Bistort with Plantain seed.
ii. Bistort with Tormentil, Water Lily root, Lettuce seed, Rue, Agnus Castus, Frankincense, Nutmeg
6. Bed-wetting or Incontinence in Children, Bistort leaf in Powder, taken with Plantain juice (Salmon)
7. Diarrhea, Dysentery:
i. Diarrhea in children, Bistort with Marshmallow root, Angelica
ii. take Bistort with Syrup of Quince
iii. Chronic Diarrhea and Dysentery, Bistort as an enemas with Poppy heads
iv. Dysentery, Bistort decocted with Licorice
8. Hernia, Bistort with Comfrey root, Fennel seed, Aniseed
9. Bleeding during pregnancy, Bistort with Plantain, Purslane, Coriander (as in Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy)
10. Threatened Miscarriage, Bistort with Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Coral, Tabasheer, Purslane, Coriander, Mastic, Cowry shell (as in Powder Against Miscarriage)
11. Hemorrhoids, Bistort with Marshmallow and Cranesbill root (Rhubarb is added if there is constipation)
12. Toothache, Bistort with Pellitory and burnt Alum, put into the hollow tooth or apply to the gums
13. Douche for Leukorrhea, Ulcers of the Womb and Prolapse, Bistort with Pomegranate peels and flowers
14. Gargle for Inflammation and painful sore throat, Bistort with Plantain, Self Heal, Agrimony, Mother of Thyme, decoct together and add Alum (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
15. Topically for Cancer, Bistort (2 parts) Calx viv (3 parts), mix with vinegar to a paste, put in a shell and dry on coals. Powder and apply to the cancer. (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)

Major Formulas
Decoction of Water Lily Compound
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy
Powder Against Miscarriage (Unani)
Powder of Muhafiz Janeen (Unani)
Electuary of Scordium
Sandalwood 8 (Tsan dan brgyad pa) (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:
1. Not used in constipation

Main Preparations used:
Distilled water of the Herb, the Tincture
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