Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Bai Wai (Radix Cynanchi Atrati)

Bai Wei is also known as Black Swallowwort Root. The bitter, salty and cold herb has been used in TCM to relieve edema, snake bite, toxic sores, swollen and painful throat; promotes urination, etc as it is used as Diuretic agent, clear Heat, cool Blood, expel toxins and resolve dermal ulcers by enhancing the function of lung, stomach, kidney channels.

Ingredients
1. Essential oil

2. Cynanchol

3. Atratoside A,B,C,D

4. Atratogenin A,B

5. Glaucogenin C

6. Cyantratoside A,BC,D,E,F

7. Glaucoside C

8. Cynjapogenin A

9. Thevetosied

10. Cynanversicoside A,B,C,D,E

11. Neocynanversicoside

12. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Anti-cancers
Water extract of Cynanchi atrati Radix enhances the apoptotic and inflammatory response by inhibiting IKK-mediated NF-κB activation, according to the study of “Water extract of Cynanchi atrati Radix regulates inflammation and apoptotic cell death through suppression of IKK-mediated NF-κB signaling” by Jeon J, Park KA, Lee H, Shin S, Zhang T, Won M, Yoon HK, Choi MK, Kim HG, Son CG, Hong JH, Hur GM.(1)
2. Anti- inflammatory effects
Water extract of Radix Cynanchi Atrati has ererted the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting fever caused by 15% yeast suspension hypodermic injection in Rat, according to the study of “[Antifebrile and anti-inflammatory effects of radix Cynanchi atrati].[Article in Chinese]” by Xue B, Liang A, Yang Q, Fu M, Wang J.(2)
3. Neuroprotective effect
Chukmesundan (CMSD), composed of the following 8 medicinal herbs including Panex ginseng C.A. MEYER, Atractylodes macrocephala KOID, Poria cocos WOLF, Pinellia ternata BREIT, Brassica alba BOISS, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX, Cynanchum atratum BGE(Bai wai) and Cuscuta chinensis LAM has exerted the Neuroprotective effect by by reducing the NO-mediated formation of free radicals or antagonizing their toxicity, according to the study of “Neuroprotective effect of a chuk-me-sun-dan on neurons from ischemic damage and neuronal cell toxicity” by Chung TW, Koo BS, Choi EG, Kim MG, Lee IS, Kim CH.(3)
4. Heart health
Bai wei has exerted the activity in stimulating of the heart muscle, improving contraction, slowing down heart rate, according to the study of “Bai wei” by Joe Hing Kwok Chu(4)
5. Etc.
Side effects
1. Do not use if you are pregnant without approval of related field specialist
2. No other known side effects?