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Herba Paris, Herb Paris, or Herb True-love, Chong Lou 重楼
Four-leaved Nightshade, One Berry, Aconitum pardalanches, Uva Ursa, Uva Lupinus
Chong Lou (also known as Zao Xiu) is the Chinese Paris root
Chong Lou (also known as Zao Xiu) is the Chinese Paris root
P. quadrifolia
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
P. quadrifolia
Flora von Deutschland, Kohler, 1886
Flora von Deutschland, Kohler, 1886
P. polyphylla (TCM)
Hooker, J.D., Fitch, W.H., Illustrations of Himalayan plants (1855)
Hooker, J.D., Fitch, W.H., Illustrations of Himalayan plants (1855)
Wild Paris roots (P. polyphylla) at the Chengdu Herb market;
these roots are approximately 5cm across and demand high prices. (Adam, 2016)
these roots are approximately 5cm across and demand high prices. (Adam, 2016)
Botanical name:
Paris spp.
1. P. quadrifolia (West)
2. P. polyphylla (TCM)
i. P. polyphylla var. chinensis
ii. P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis
Parts used:
Root, Fruit, Leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter, Sweet. Mildly Toxic
Classification:
B. Clears Heat and Toxin
Paris spp.
1. P. quadrifolia (West)
2. P. polyphylla (TCM)
i. P. polyphylla var. chinensis
ii. P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis
Parts used:
Root, Fruit, Leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter, Sweet. Mildly Toxic
Classification:
B. Clears Heat and Toxin
Uses:
1. Clears Wind and Heat, Resists Poison (TCM, West):
-taken against the Plague, Epidemic Diseases (both to preserve from and cure)
-Sore Throat, Fever, Mumps, Rabies
-Poisons including Aconite, Nux Vomica, Arsenic, Mercury (Herb, Berry)
-Snake Bite (TCM)
2. Clears Wind and Heat, Stops Spasms (West, TCM):
-Childhood Convulsions and Spasms related to Febrile disease
-Dizziness, Vertigo, Migraine
-Whooping Cough
-Head wagging and tongue moving (traditional TCM indications)
-Mania
3. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Resolves Masses (West, TCM):
-Trauma, Bruising
-Pain of a fixed nature
-Scrofula
-Tumors and Cancers (inc. Liver, Stomach, Lung, Breast)
-Saponin content is principally responsible for anti-cancer effect and has been well proven
4. Clears Phlegm, Promotes Vomit:
-smaller doses dissolve Phlegm and clear Damp
-Emetic in full doses (30–50 grains of the root)
5. Externally:
-externally the leaf is applied to Plague sores, hot Tumors, Felons, old Ulcers
-Tumors and Swellings of the Groin, Testicles or Genitals, or to any other part of the body (leaf)
-juice is applied to Felons, and Abscesses in the nail bed
DOSE:
300mg–1 gram of the root or whole herb in powder or pills;
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
Full doses in decoction of 9 or more grams may induce vomiting
PREPARATION:
The roots were usually steeped in vinegar for 24 hours, then dried for use in the West.
SUBSTITUTE:
Bistort root is similar in nature and taste and has been used as an adulterant to Paris root in China. However, both excel in clearing Heat and Poison so it is an acceptable substitute for some indications.
300mg–1 gram of the root or whole herb in powder or pills;
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
Full doses in decoction of 9 or more grams may induce vomiting
PREPARATION:
The roots were usually steeped in vinegar for 24 hours, then dried for use in the West.
SUBSTITUTE:
Bistort root is similar in nature and taste and has been used as an adulterant to Paris root in China. However, both excel in clearing Heat and Poison so it is an acceptable substitute for some indications.
Main Combinations:
1. Plague and Epidemic diseases, Herb Paris with Angelica, Nettle, Marshmallow, Valerian (as in Saxonian Powder)
2. Sores, Abscesses, Paris Chong Lou with Coptis Huang Lian and Lonicera Jin Yin Hua (TCM)
3. Tonsillitis, Paris Chong Lou with Scutellaria Huang Qin and Scrophularia Xuan Shen. (TCM)
4. Liver Wind (Epilepsy, Dizziness, Convulsions), Paris Chong Lou with Paeonia Bai Shao, Gastrodia Tian Ma (TCM)
5. Childhood Convulsions, Paris Chong Lou with Uncaria Gou Teng, Cicada slough (Chan Tui)
6. Snakebite, Paris Chong Lou with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Scutellaria Ban Zhi Lian (TCM)
Major Formulas:
Saxonian Powder
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Avoid overdose. Poisoning may result in diarrhea, headache, nausea, stomachache, vertigo, and vomiting. The berries are most toxic
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Avoid overdose. Poisoning may result in diarrhea, headache, nausea, stomachache, vertigo, and vomiting. The berries are most toxic
Main Preparations used: