What Is Spatholobus Suberectus?

Spatholobus Suberectus，dry cane for legumes Spodnophobe suberectus Dunn. Harvested in the fall and winter seasons, leaves were removed, sliced, and dried.  With blood and blood, regulate menstruation pain, tendons active effect. For irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, rheumatism, pain, numbness, blood deficiency chlorosis.

Identified Active Components/ Major Chemical Constituents

Spatholobus stem has active components like flavonoids, triterpenes, anthraquinones and sterol derivatives.
Its flavonoids include formononetin, ononin, prunetin, afrormosin, cajanin, diadzein, genistein, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone A, 3,4,2,4-tetrahydroxy chalcone, medicagol, 9-O-methylcoumestrol, 3,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-dihy-droflavonol, catechin, and epicatechin. Its triterpenes include friedelinol and friedelin; sterol and glycosides include β-sitosterol, daucosterol, 7-oxo-β-sitosterol, anthemisol, and stigmasterol; its anthraquinones include aloe-emodin and emodin-3-methyl ether.

Drug actions in TCM

Spatholobus stem activates and enriches blood, regulates menstruation, activates collaterals and releases tendons.

Traditional Uses in TCM

Spatholobus stem is often used for conditions like sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, limb numbness, paralysis in the limbs or body, rheumatic joints, irregular menstruation, menstrual pain or missed periods.

Spatholobus stem activates and enriches blood

The herb is suitable for women problems that caused by blood deficiency or blood stasis. For irregular menstruation, menstrual pain and missed periods that resulted from blood stasis, spatholobus stem can work with Sichuan lovage rhizome, Chinese safflower and nutgrass flatsedge rhizome for relief. In case if the problems are associated with blood deficiency, then spatholobus stem can work with processed rhemannia rhizome, angelica root and white peony root for relief.

Spatholobus stem activates collaterals and relax tendons

Spatholobus stem is a usual ingredient for meridian and collateral problems in the limbs. Rheumatic joints that develop joint pain and limb numbness, spatholobus stem can work with herbs like pubescent angelica root, clematis root and mulberry mistletoes to expel the wind and dampness pathogens in the limbs. Stroke that leads to numbness and paralyzed limbs, spatholobus stem can work with herbs like astragalus root, red sage root and earthworm to unblock the meridians and collaterals in the limbs. Blood deficiency that fails to nourish the tendons and muscles, individuals may have limb numbness and sallow complexion, spatholobus stem can work with herbs like astragalus root, and angelica root to replenish qi (vital energy) and enrich blood.

Modern TCM also uses spatholobus stem for leukopenia (a decrease in the number of white blood cells), and hyperplasia of the mammary glands, that are usually treated along with other herbs.

Pharmacological Actions

Studies showed that spatholobus stem has effects in promoting hematopoiesis function, expanding blood vessels, anti-coagulation, enhancing uterine contraction, reducing blood lipid, anti-tumor, anti-virus, immune modulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, tranquilizing and promoting sleep.

Administration and Dosage

Taking orally, spatholobus stem is suggested for 10〜15g, or it can be higher to 30g in decoction. Traditionally, the herb is often made into medicinal wine or syrup for long term consumption.