Achyranthes (Ox knee root) ~ Achyranthes bidentata

Achyranthes (Ox knee root)

Latin name: Achyranthes bidentata

Family: Achyranthaceae

Part used: stem bark

Habitat: China, particularly in Sichuan province

Main constituents: alpha-spinasterol, beta-sitosterol, chrysophanol, dibutyl phthalate, palmitic acid, alpha-spinasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, daucosterol, ecdysterone, polysaccharides

Energetics: bitter, sour, neutral

Main herbal actions: circulatory stimulant, diuretic, analgesic

Minor herbal actions: hypotensive, rubefacient

Main medicinal uses: irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and abdominal pain after giving birth

Minor medicinal uses: urinary tract disorders, dysuria, hematuria

Preparations: decoction: 1 tsp/cup water tid, capsules: 6 grams qd

Contraindications: pregnancy; may increase blood flow during menses; use with caution when concurrently taking anticoagulant medication

Toxicity: none known

Sources: http://www.senhealth.com/vsite/vcontent/page/xmlcontent/0,11740,4822-129317-130625-19334-68873-xmlcontent-item,00.html; http://www.foodsnherbs.com/new_page_2.htm; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11038963&dopt=Abstract; http://www.chineseplantscience.com/earticle_read.asp?id=2761; http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/AA/Achyranthes%20bidentata.htm