Pulsatilla chinensis is A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes,but a useful root with nickname "White Haired Old Man"

  seminal trace...Pulsatilla Root Extract.5:1.Chinese Pulsatilla Root Extract.Pulsatilla chinensis;lactone protoanemonin,CAS No:108-28-1,M.Formula: C5H4O2.Bai Tou Weng.Radix Pulsatillae Chinensis,Radix Pulsatillae,Pulsatillae Chinensis Radix,Pulsatilla root Extract....

 

 Basic Botanical Info of Pulsatilla Root:
 Physical Characteristics:
 Constituents and Phytochemicals:
 Medicinal Uses:
 Functions of Pulsaiilla Root:
 Indications & Combinations:
 Research Update:Chinese Pulsatilla Root.Pulsatilla chinensis.


   Basic Botanical Info of Pulsatilla Root:

 Botanical Source:Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel
 English Name: Chinese Pulsaiilla Root,Radic Pulsatillae,Pulsatillae Chinensis Radix,Radix Pulsatillae Chinensis.
 Pinyin Name: Bai Tou Weng,namely means "White Haired Old Man"
 Pharmaceutical Name : Radix Pulsatillae
 Family: Ranunculaceae Genus:Pulsatilla
 Source of Earliest Record: Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
 Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or late autumn, cleaned and dried in the sun.
 Synonyms: Pulsatilla chinensis;Anemone;Bai Tou Weng;Anemone chinensis;Pulsatilla root,General Grass,Da Wan Hua,Big Bowl Flower,Lao Wen Hua,Old Man Flower.

 Definition from CP1995: Identified the dry root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bge.) Regel as the botanical source of Bai Tou Weng.
 Other Botanical source: identified such as Pulsatilla.da hurica(Fisch.)Spr.;Pulsatilla.koreana Nakai.;Pulsatilla.turczani novii Krylov et Serg.; Pulsatilla.amb igua Turcz.ex Pritz;Pulsatilla.companella Fisch.; Pulsatilla.patens Mill.; Pulsatilla.sukacze vii Turcz
 

 

   Physical Characteristics:

 Subcylindrical or conical, slightly tortuous, 6-20 cm long, 0.5-2 cm in diameter. Externally yellowish-brown or brown, irregularly and longitudinally wrinkled or furrowed, bark easily exfoliated, the exposed wood yellow, some exhibiting reticulate fissures and cracks, usually with decayed depressed holes near root stock. Root stock slightly swollen, white-tomentose, some showing sheathlike pedicel bases. Texture hard and, fracture yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown in bark and pale yellow in wood. Odour, slight; taste, slightly bitter and astringent.

 The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

 Habitat:Pulsatilla chinensis mainly output from Baoxing of Sichua,north of Hu Bei,Jiang Su,An Hui,He Nan,South of Gan Su,ShanXi,Shan Dong,He Bei,Nei Meng Gu,Liao Ning,Ji Lin,Hei Long Jiang of China.North Korea and Far east siberian area of Russia.

  Anemone pulsatilla.Pasque Flower. Wind Flower. Meadow Anemone. Passe Flower. Easter Flower. Part Used:Whole herb

 Anemone pulsatilla is found not in woods, but in open situations. It grows wild in the dry soils of almost every Central and Northern country of Europe, but in England is rather a local plant, abounding on high chalk downs and limestone pastures, mostly in Yorkshire, Berkshire, Oxford and Suffolk, but seldom found in other situations and other districts in this country.

 The drug Pulsatilla, which is of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple, is obtained not only from the whole herb of A. pulsatilla, but also from A. pratensis, the Meadow Anemone, which is closely allied to the Pasque Flower, differing chiefly in having smaller flowers with deeper purple sepals, inflexed at the top. It grows in Denmark, Germany and Italy, but not in England. It is recommended for certain diseases of the eye, like Pulsatilla, and is used in homoeopathy, but has been considered somewhat dangerous. The whole plant has a strong acrid taste, but is eaten by both sheep and goats, though cows and horses will not touch it. The leaves when bruised and applied to the skin raise blisters. A. patens, var. Nutalliana is also used for the same purpose as A. pulsatilla.

 In each case, the whole herb is collected, soon after flowering, and should be carefully preserved when dried; it deteriorates if kept longer than one year.

 

   Constituents and Phytochemicals:Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel

  Main Phytochemicals:

 Anemonin,C₁₀H₈O₄;Protoanemonin,C₅H₄O₂;Ranunculin,C₁₁H₁₆O₈,0.66%.
 Note of Anemonin:An acrid, poisonous, crystallizable substance, obtained from some species of anemone.
 Note of Protoanemonin:M.F.:C5H4O2.M.W.96.09.Acute Toxicity.LD₅₀ (Mice): 190 mg/kg.SMILES String: C=C1OC(=O)C=C1;Synonyms: cis-4-Methylenebut-2-en-4-olide; Protoanemonin;CAS RN.108-28-1.
 Note of Ranunculin:M.F.:C11H16O8.M.W.276.2 g/mol.
 

  Other Phytochemicals:

 Okinalein;Okinalin;Anemosapogenin;daucosterol;pulchin-enoside B;puisatillic acid;(+)-pinoresid;beta-peltatin.
 Anemoside A₃:3(S)23-dihydroxylup-20(29)en-28-oic acid 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamno-pyranosyl(1->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside;
 Anemoside B₄:3beta,2,3-dihydroxylup-20(29)-ene-28-O0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside;
 3beta,2,3-dihydroxylup-20(29)-ene-28-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside;
 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-3beta,2,3-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid;

  Constituents and Phytochemicals:Anemone pulsatilla.

 The fresh plant yields by distillation with water an acrid, oily principle, with a burning, peppery taste, Oil of Anemone. A similar oil is obtained from Ranunculus bulbosus, R. flammula and R. sceleratus, which belong to the same order of plants. Its therapeutic value is not considered great. When kept for some time,this oily substance becomes decomposed into Anemonic acid and Anemonin. Anemonin is crystalline, tasteless and odourless when pure and melts at 152? The action of Pulsatilla is virtually that of this crystalline substance Anemonin, which is a powerful irritant, like cantharides, in overdoses causing violent gastro-enteritis. It is volatile in water vapour and is then irritative to the eyes and mouth. The Oil acts as a vescicant when applied to the skin. Anemonicacid appears to be inert. Anemonin sometimes causes local inflammation and gangrene when subcutaneously injected, vomiting and purging when given internally. It is, however, uncertain whether these symptoms are due to Anemonin itself or to some impurity in it. The chief action of pure Anemonin is a depressant one on the circulation, respiration and spinal cord, to a certain extent resembling that of Aconite. The symptoms are slow and feeble pulse, slow respiration, coldness, paralysis and death without convulsions. In poisoning by extract of Pulsatilla, convulsions are always present. Their absence in poisoning by pure Anemonin appears to be due to its paralysing action on motor centres in the brain.

 

   Medicinal Uses:

 Amoebic dysentery; pudendal itching with excessive leucorrhea,Disclaimer,Analgesic;Antiinflammatory;Antispasmodic;Cardiotonic;Hypnotic;Sedative,digestive, cardiovascular, lymphatic systems; large intestine.The root is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and sedative.

 Pulsatilla nigricans, commonly known as pulsatilla, is a remedy derived from the plant commonly known as wind flower, pasque flower, or meadow anemone. The perennial plant is a member of the Ranunculaceae family and is native to central and northern Europe and southern England. This wild plant grows in sunny meadows, pastures, and fields.

 A crown of leaves forms on the ground, from which a single flower grows in May and August. The stem reaches a height of about 6 in (15 cm) and has downy hairs that grow on it. The flower is colored dark violet-brown.

 The plant was used medicinally during ancient times for eye ailments. During the 19th century, the Eclectic physicians and contemporaries of Samuel Hahnemann, the father of homeopathy, noted pulsatilla's use in the treatment of melancholy, swelling of the knees, and nervous system disorders. In ancient times it was used as an external remedy for ulcers and eye inflammation.

 The plant contains lactones, saponins, anemone camphor, tannins, and a volatile oil. It is antispasmodic and antibacterial and acts on the nervous system. When chewed, a caustic substance contained in the plant burns the tongue and throat. When applied topically, it may cause blisters on the skin. Though not used as widely as it was in the 19th century, pulsatilla may be used to treat painful periods, insomnia, headaches, boils, ovarian pain, and asthma.

 

   Functions of Pulsaiilla Root:

  Traditional Chinese medicine:

 Chinese anemone root (Pulsatilla chinensis) is a related herb used in traditional Chinese medicine . Bai tou weng, as it is referred to in Mandarin, is prescribed by Chinese medicine practitioners to clear heat and detoxify fire poison. It is used in damp heat conditions of the stomach and large intestine in dysentery. Dysentery is a disease marked by frequent watery stools and often accompanied by stomach pain, fever or dehydration. This herb also clears heat of the blood. The herb has a bitter taste and is antimicrobial. The plant has also been used to treat diarrhea, wounds, and trauma.

  Herb Detoxifier: Clear toxicity and to lower fever,To clear heat and release toxins.Bai Tou Weng is thought to clear toxicity and to lower fever. It is most commonly taken as a decoction to counter infection within the gastro-intestinal tract.
 Bai Tou Weng is thought to clear toxicity and to lower fever. To remove taxic heat and relieve bloody dysentery. Reducing intense heat to remove heat toxics, eliminating heat in the blood to relieve dysentery,It is most commonly taken as a decoction to counter infection within the gastro-intestinal tract.

  Amoebic dysentery: The root is an effective cure for bacterial and amoebic dysentery.

  Anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and sedative:

 The root is an effective cure for bacterial and amoebic dysentery. It is also used in the treatment of malaria, nose bleeds and haemorrhoids and is used externally to treat Trichomonas vaginitis. The root is harvested in the autumn or before the plant comes into flower in the spring, it can be dried for later use.
 The root contains the lactone protoanemonin which has an irritant and antibacterial action. Protoanemonin is destroyed when the root is dried. It is also used in the treatment of malaria, nose bleeds and haemorrhoids and is used externally to treat Trichomonas vaginitis.

  Cardiotonic: The fresh herb is a cardiac and nervous sedative, producing a hypnotic state with a diminution of the senses followed by a paralysing action. A constituent similar to digitalis can be extracted from the whole herb with the roots removed. This is cardiotonic. The fresh herb is a cardiac and nervous sedative, producing a hypnotic state with a diminution of the senses followed by a paralysing action.

  Cool the blood and stop dysentery:

 Pulsatilla chinensis can often be used treat dysentery with bloody stools and abdominal pain due to virulent heat; to treat dysentery with tenesmus it is often with Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Fraxini, etc.; to treat dysentery with deficiency of blood or this same disease after labor, with Colla Corii Asini, Radix Glycyrrhizae.
 It has got good effects in treating bacillary or amebic dysentery, and it can also be used to treat vaginal trichomoniasis in combination with Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Fructus Cnidii as fumigant and wash, and the result is quite good.

 Dysentery with bloody stool due to noxious heat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, diarrhea with purulent and bloody stool, tenesmus, high fever and restlessness, this single herb can be used or in combination with coptis root and phellodendron bark to improve the cactivity of heat-clearing and detoxicating, known as Baitouweng Tang (Decoction of Pulsatilla).
 

  Homeopathy:

  Homeopathic remedies: Homeopaths prescribe pulsatilla for acute ailments that are caused by grief, anger, fright, shock, consumption of rich foods, loss of vital fluids, exposure to the sun, suppression of menstruation, and mental strain. This herb is often called the queen of homeopathic remedies, as it is indicated in so many conditions. These conditions include arthritis, bronchitis, chickenpox with cough and low fever, colds, coughs, digestive troubles, eye and ear infections, fevers, headaches, measles with a cough and cold, mumps with swollen and painful glands, and menstrual difficulties.

 Physical symptoms include thirstlessness, one-sided complaints, weakness, slow digestion, chilliness, and thick, yellow bodily discharges. The pains are cutting, stitching, or burning, and they wander from body part to body part. The lymph glands are often swollen, and the sweat and breath smell repugnant. The lips and mouth are dry, and a white or yellow-coated tongue is often present. The patient may crave butter, but dislikes bread, hot food and drinks, fats, rich food, and meat. These foods cause indigestion and nausea. The patient is chilly, often with cold hands and feet, but dislikes heat.

  Emotional nature: Pulsatilla is generally chosen because it acts so well on ailments that are of an emotional nature. The remedy is typically suited for mild, gentle, and timid women and children with blonde hair and blue eyes. Pulsatilla patients are generally emaciated persons who are sympathetic, sad, weepy, sensitive, easily offended, jealous, depressed, shy, introspective, and anxious. The patient desires affection and the company of others, and is often fearful of being alone, of the dark, or in a crowd. She may be filled with remorse or despair and may be suicidal. She cries easily and is not afraid to show her emotions.

 A typical indication of the pulsatilla patient lies in her erratic emotional and physical behavior. Her moods are always changing: one minute she may be happy, the next may find her crying. Ailments are one-sided or change location. For instance, arthritic pain may stop in one joint and appear in another. Pulsatilla is a useful remedy for teething babies who are weepy, whiny, and want to be carried.

 Symptoms are worse in the morning, in the evening before midnight, in cold air, when the feet are wet, and while standing or lying down. They are also aggravated by warmth, while lying on the painless side, during and after eating, eating warm foods, after sleep, by rapid motion, and before, during, and after menstruation. Conditions that improve the symptoms include fresh air, lying on the painful side, pressure, gentle motion, cold, and cold applications.
 

  Specific indications:

  Dry cough:: Bronchitis accompanied by a dry cough that is worse in the evening or when lying down is indicative of this remedy. The cough is loose in the morning and the mucous expelled is bitter or salty. The cough is better when sitting up or in cool air and worse after eating.

 Pulsatilla is a useful remedy for breastfeeding mothers with an overabundant supply of milk.

  Postnatal depression:: It is often indicated in postnatal depression accompanied by crying.

 The cold indicative of pulsatilla is accompanied by sneezing, chills, fever, and sometimes nosebleeds. The patient catches cold easily. The nose is stuffed in a warm room and in the evening, and is watery in fresh air. The discharge is thick and yellow or green. The sense of smell and taste is lost. Symptoms are relieved by fresh air.

 Conjunctivitis with redness and swelling of the eyelids is accompanied by a thick, yellow discharge that oozes from the eyes. In the morning the eyes are often stuck shut. The eyes are typically itchy and burning. The symptoms are better from cold applications or cold air.

  Constipation:: Constipation with ineffective urging and a backache occurs with this remedy. When the patient does defecate, the stools are large and hard.

 The cough typical of this remedy is an exhausting cough that occurs in fits. The cough is dry at night and loose in the morning. There is a loud rattling in the chest that often wakes the patient. A sticky, yellow or green mucus is present, but may be difficult to expel. The throat may become raw, sore, and painful from the cough. The cough is better from fresh air and sitting up, and worse from exertion, lying down, heat, or a stuffy room.

 The diarrhea is a greenish-yellow color and is slimy and watery. There is a rumbling in the abdomen before it is expelled. The pains in the abdomen are cutting. The diarrhea is worse at night, after eating, after eating starchy or rich food, when overheated, or in a stuffy room.
 

  Digestive disturbances: are caused by eating rich or fatty foods, pork, ice cream, fruit, or cold foods. The patient lacks appetite or thirst and often suffers from nausea and vomiting. He may have a dry mouth and may feel as if a lump was behind the sternum. Indigestion is accompanied by bitter-tasting belches, stomach pains, and heartburn. Diarrhea may also be present. Symptoms are worse after eating or drinking and at night.

 Pulsatilla types do not fare well in hot weather and often suffer from exhaustion. They are worse from the sun, a stuffy room, or mental exertion.

  Fever: Pulsatilla is indicated in fevers in which the patient is not thirsty and has a dry mouth. The fever is hot and burning and is typically one-sided, i.e. the body may be hotter on one side than the other. The sweat produced may occur on one side of the body or be localized to one area. The patient may weep and moan while feverish. The fever is worse in heat, at night, under warm covers, in a stuffy room, or after washing. Intermittent fevers are worse between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. These fevers are worse from heat and covering.

  The headache pains: occur in the front of the head or at the temples. The pains are throbbing, pressing, one-sided pains that are worse from movement, excessive sun, eating rich foods, hot drinks, bending over, standing, running, or blowing the nose.

  Insomnia:  is caused by anxious dreams, a restless sleep, too much thinking, and a repetition of thoughts. When the feet become hot, the patient sticks them out of the bed. Then the patient is awakened because his feet are cold.

  Menstrual difficulties: are also indicative of this remedy and often occur as a result of suppressed menstruation. Menstruation is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, skin affections, sadness, weeping, and pain in the abdomen, liver, and back. The period is generally late. The flow may start and stop or be present only during the day. The pains are aching, dull, and wandering. They are better when the patient is doubled over. Symptoms are aggravated by wetting the feet.

  Varicose veins: are sore and stinging. They are worse while standing and better from walking and cold applications. They are also worse during pregnancy and when circulation in the limbs is poor.

  Medicinal Action and Uses:Anemone pulsatilla.

 Nervine, antispasmodic, alterative and diaphoretic.The tincture of Pulsatilla is beneficial in disorders of the mucous membrane, of the respiratory and of the digestive passages. Doses of 2 to 3 drops in a spoonful of water will allay the spasmodic cough of asthma, whooping-cough and bronchitis.

 For catarrhal affection of the eyes, as well as for catarrhal diarrhoea, the tincture is serviceable. It is also valuable as an emmenagogue, in the relief of headaches and neuralgia, and as a remedy for nerve exhaustion in women.
 It is specially recommended for fair, blue-eyed women.
 It has been employed in the form of extract in some cutaneous diseases with much success; it is included in the British Pharmacopoeia and was formerly included in the United States Pharmacopoeia.

 In homoeopathy it is considered very efficacious and even a specific in measles. It is prescribed as a good remedy for nettlerash and also for neuralgic toothache and earache, and is administered in indigestion and bilious attacks.

 

   Indications & Combinations:

 Dysentery, manifested as fever, abdominal pain, bloody and pus-like stool and tenesmus. Pulsatilla root (Baitouweng) is used with Phellodendron bark (Huangbai) and Coptis root (Huanglian) in a formula such as Baitouweng Tang.
 Dosage: 6-15 g

  Preparations:

 Pulsatilla nigricans is available in dried bulk form, and as a tincture. Pharmacies, health food stores, and Chinese herbal stores carry the various preparations. They are also available as prescribed by a herbalist, homeopathic doctor, and Chinese medicine practitioner.

 The homeopathic preparation of pulsatilla is created in the following manner. The plant is collected when the flowers are in full bloom and pounded to a pulp. This pulp is soaked in alcohol, then strained and diluted. The final homeopathic remedy is created after the diluted mixture is succussed repeatedly. The remedy is available at health food and drug stores in various potencies in the form of tinctures, tablets, and pellets.

 The dried plant combines well with cramp bark as a treatment for painful periods. For skin conditions it is combined with echinacea.
 An infusion is made by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1/2 tsp of the dried plant. The mixture steeps for 10-15 minutes then should be strained. Pulsatilla can be drunk up to three times daily.
 For use in traditional Chinese medicine, the herb should be soaked for one hour in warm water, then simmered for 30-120 minutes. It is usually used in combination with other herbs.
 The tincture dosage is 1-2 ml three times daily.

  Precautions:

 If symptoms do not improve after the recommended time period, a homeopath or health care practitioner should be consulted.The recommended dose should not be exceeded.Those seeking this remedy should not use the fresh plant.

  Interactions:

 When taking any homeopathic remedy, use of peppermint products, coffee, or alcohol is discouraged. These products will cause the remedy to be ineffective.
 Pulsatilla chinensis is contraindicated in chronic dysentery with a deficiency of Spleen and Stomach. It is only used for acute dysentery.


  Scientific References:

  1.Pulsatilla chinensis is A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes,but a useful root with nickname "White Haired Old Man"