Canton Abrus Herb

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Roots often are conical, with thick top and thin bottom, with branches, uneven length, 0.5~1.5cm diameter; externally grayish-brown, rough, with thin longitudinal lines, lateral root is very thin, sometimes with a broken or remaining base; hard texture. Stems are clustered thickly, grayish-brown or purple-brown, small twigs are very thin, sparsely covered in short soft hairs. Alternating pinnate compound leaves, 8~11 pairs of oblong leaflets, often fallen off, leaflets are rectangular round shaped, Abrus cantoniensis Hance leaves are 0.8~1.2cm long, Abrus mollis Hance leaves are 1.2~2.4cm long, flat tips, with a small point, lower surface is covered with downy hairs. faintly aromatic odor; slightly bitter taste.

Superior medicinal material has knotted rhizomes with shole stems and leaves.

Sweet, slightly bitter; cool.

Clears heat, resolves toxin, courses the liver, resolves pain. apply to jaundice, hypochondrium discourses, abdominal swelling pain, acute and chronic hepatitis, mastitis.