Wan Nian Qing
StarRohdea japonica (Thunb.) Roth
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and detoxifies, s trengthens the Heart and promotes urination
Traditional Chinese Uses
Wan Nian Qing is the root, rhizome and whole plant of Rohdea japonica (Asparagaceae), a bitter, slightly sweet, cold herb entering the Lung and Heart channels. It clears Heat and resolves toxicity, cools the Blood to stop bleeding, and — through its cardiac-glycoside content — strengthens the Heart and promotes urination. Traditional and modern uses include swollen sore throat and diphtheria, sores and boils, coughing of blood and uterine bleeding, edema and abdominal distension, and congestive heart failure with fluid retention. The fresh plant is pounded for topical application to toxic swellings and snakebite.
It is decocted in small amounts (roughly 3–9 g) or expressed for juice.
Botanical Description
Rohdea japonica is an evergreen rhizomatous perennial of the Asparagaceae family (formerly Liliaceae or Convallariaceae), native to forested slopes of China, Korea, and Japan. The plant forms a basal tuft of thick, leathery, dark-green strap-shaped leaves arising directly from a short, stout, creeping rhizome; the leaves are arching, parallel-veined, and persist year-round. From the center of the rosette a short, dense spike of small fleshy bell-shaped flowers emerges in summer, almost hidden among the foliage. The flowers give rise to clustered, bright red berries that ripen in autumn and persist into winter, a feature that has long made the plant a prized ornamental in East Asian gardens and bonsai culture.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Wan Nian Qing.
No notes yet.