Fructus Rosae Laevigatae
- Name
- Origin
- Where Does It Grow?
- Nature and Flavor
- Identified Active Components / Major Chemical Constituents
- Drug Actions in TCM
- Traditional Uses in TCM
- Pharmacological Actions
- Toxicology
- Administration and Dosage
- Adverse Effect, Side Effects and Cautions
- References
Name
Latin Name: Fructus Rosae Laevigatae
Common Name: Cherokee rose fruit
Scientific Name: Rosa laevigata Michx.
Chinese Name: 金櫻子
Pinyin Name: jin ying zi
Origin
The dried ripe fruit of Rosa laevigata Michx., an evergreen climbing shrub plant of family Rosaceae.1
Where Does It Grow?
Cherokee rose fruit is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei and Guizhou provinces of China.1
Nature and Flavor
Cherokee rose fruit is sour and astringent in flavor, neutral in nature, and mainly manifests its therapeutic actions in the kidney, bladder and large intestine meridians.1
Identified Active Components / Major Chemical Constituents
Cherokee rose fruit contains citric acid, malic acid, tannin, resin, vitamin C, fructose and sucrose. Additionally, the content of saponin is about 17%.2Drug Actions in TCM
Cherokee rose fruit astringes seminal and intestinal discharges, arrest excess urination and bowel movements.1Traditional Uses in TCM
In the Compendium of Materia Medica (ben cao gang mu), Li Shi Zhen wrote that cherokee rose fruit was indicated for diarrhea or dysentery caused by a spleen deficiency. The herb also stops frequent urination and astringes essence (jing). In TCM, The kidneys store the essence, which is the material basis for both bodily constitution and functional activities. One of essence's functions is to vaporize into qi(vital energy) and motivate sexual activities.
•For problems due to insecurity of kidney qi, such as seminal emission, bed-wetting, frequent urination, and excess vaginal discharges; the astringent action of cherokee rose fruit can help arrest the suitations. The herb can be decoctd alone or in combination with euryale seed, preparing as syrup for consumption. Other kidney invigorating herbs may often selected in the remedies.
•For problems due to spleen deficiency, such as chronic diarrhea and dysentery, cherokee rose fruit can be used alone, or in combination with spleen invigorating and qi replenishing herbs, like pilose asiabell root, largehead atractylodes rhizome and Chinese yam, arresting excess bowel movements and restoring normal defecation.
In addition, cherokee rose fruit is used to treat profuse uterine bleeding, and prolapse of the rectum and uterus.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Lipid-lowering Effects
Animal studies
Fructus Rosae Laevigatae was shown to reduce serum cholesterol and β-lipoprotein level in rabbits and lower their degree of atherosclerosis.5
2. Inhibitory Effects on Smooth Muscle Contraction
Animal studies
A water extract of Fructus Rosae Laevigatae was shown to reduce the urination frequency in rats, prolong the urination interval and increase the urine volume for each urination episode. In other experiments, it was reported that Fructus Rosae Laevigatae could antagonize convulsive contractions of isolated smooth bladder muscles of rats as well as antagonize the contractive response of a rabbit's aorta caused by nor-adrenaline. It was also shown to inhibit the autonomic contractions of isolated jejunums (a part of the small intestine) in rabbits that were pretreated with acetylcholine and barium chloride.6
3. Relieve Diarrhea
Animal studies
Rats with diarrhea induced by administration of Rheum palmatum solution were given by gavage a Fructus Rosae Laevigatae water decoction. The herb was stir-fried with bran and processed with honey before the preparation of the decoction. Results showed that the herb had good effects in relieving diarrhea.6
Toxicology
Administration and Dosage
For decoction, the suggested does of Cherokee rose fruit is 6-12g.1
Adverse Effect, Side Effects and Cautions
Not suitable for individuals with excessive heat signs, such as fever, thirst, mouth sores, gum swelling, constipation, urinary difficulty and a red tongue.
References
- Lui Daiquan, ed. Chinese Medicine. Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2000-6.
- Li Jiashi, ed. Chinese Medicine Identification. Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2000-6.
- Wu Yiluo. Bencao Congxin (New Compilation of Materia Medica), 1757AD.
- Li Shizhen, Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) 1578AD.
- Jiangsu Modern Medicine College, ed. Pharmacopoeia of Chinese medicine, Volume II. Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers 1986?2698.*
- Nan Yunshen & Zhang Lihua, et al. Study of processing of Fructus Rosae. Chinese Herbal Medicine 1995, 18(6): 293.*
- Quoted in "Zhou JG ed. Clinical application and pharmacology of Chinese Medicine. Huaxia Publishing Company Ltd, 1998: 527-528" Tianjin Scientific Technology Publishing, 1999: 1248-1250"
