Production RegionsPrimarily produced in the chines provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui.
Macroscopic FeaturesThin and long fusiform or strip-like shape, about 2~6cm long, about 3~6mm diameter, externally yellowish-white, translucent, with longitudinal wrinkles and indented rootlet scars, root head is blunt round, often remains stem scars on the upper portion, lower portion gradually thin like rat tail. Brittle texture and easily broken, fractured surface is yellowish-white or off-white, directly sun-dried surface is white, powdery. faint odor, slightly sweet taste.
Quality RequirementsSuperior medicinal material is fat and moistened, yellowish-white, without rootlets.
PropertiesSweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm
FunctionsSupplements spleen and lung, promotes qi, engenders fluid. Apply to cough due to lung deficiency, lack of food intake due to spleen deficiency, palpitations, palpitation, edema, diabetes, tired spirit.
OriginThe dried tuberous root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax et Hoffm. (Caryophyllaceae).