Radix Rehmaniae, raw

Chinese Name: Sheng di huang
Medical Name: Raw Radix Rehmaniae
Latin Name: Rehmannia glutinosa(Gaertn.) Libosch.
Origin: Root
Taste: Sweet and bitter

Quotes from Chinese historical sources

THE HERBAL CLASSIC OF SHEN-NONG: "Its flavour is sweet and cold. It is used mainly to treat injuries sustained in collisions and falls: torn muscles, internal injuries, abdominal distension arising from blood stasis, also to promote the formation of bone marrow and to strengthen the muscles. Taken in the form of a soup, it can help to purge the body by dispelling accumulated diseases in the extremities, meridians and viscera."

OPINIONS ON THE PROPERTIES OF HERBS: "It is the primary ingredient used in these formulations... it can repair damage caused by consumptive disease, warm the inside of the body and aid the circulation of vital energies, thus promoting blood circulation. It cures puerperal abdominal pain, and also relieves chronic bleeding from the stomach lining. I will repeat the words of another: raw radix rehmanniae is sweet and mild in flavour, not poisonous. It allays fevers, counters blood stasis, promotes menstrual flow and the formation of urine. It can also break down blood stasis in cases of bladder obstruction and of weaknesses of the chest and abdomen arising from racing heartbeat. Use it to treat consumptive diseases and fevers."

RI HUA ZI MATERIA MEDICA: "Dry Radix Rehmaniae can promote the vital energy of heart and gallbladder, calm the temper and soothe the soul, treat panic attacks, counteract damage to the heart and lung arising from overstrain, alleviate chronic bleeding from the nose, stomach lining and uterus, strengthen the physique, and enhance self-belief. When the herb is allowed to dry naturally, its property is mild. However, when it is dried artificially, its property becomes warm."

KAI-BAO MATERIA MEDICA: "In flavour it is sweet, bitter, and cold, and not poisonous. In men, it treats the five impairments (of heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney) and seven damages. In women it treats internal injuries, hematuria, and postpartum haemorrhaging, helps metabolize extravasated blood, benefits the large and small intestines, expels undigested food from the stomach. Repairs injuries sustained by the five internal organs through energy deficiencies; promotes blood circulation; builds physical strength; nourishes the ears and eyes. In its raw form, its properties are very cold. Effective against metrorrhagia; internal bleeding with associated heartaches and shortness of breath after delivery; vaginal bleeding during pregnancy; retention of the foetus; injuries sustained through falling; carpal fractures; blood stasis; chronic blood-retention syndrome, bleeding from the nose and stomach lining. In all such instances, pound up the raw Radix Rehmaniae in a mortar and allow the patient to drink the juice."

Western Research

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Mar;31(5):403-7
[Effects of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides on proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin resistance] Article in Chinese
uo XN, Zhang RX, Jia ZP, Li MX, Wang J.
Life Science Institute of Lanzhou University, China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on the proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin resistance. METHOD: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured, the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was detected by MTT method. Insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes cell model was induced by dexamethasone and the change of glucose concentration in cell culture was determined after ROS treatment. RESULT: In the high glucose DMEM culture media, MTT method showed that the absorbance at 570nm of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was increased and that of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was decreased. ROS significantly increased glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes culture in a concentration-dependent manner. ROS improved the sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin. CONCLUSION: ROS can promote the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, inhibite the proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and also, significantly improve insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone.