Whether in doctor's prescription or folk food therapy, Eucommia Bark is a very commonly used Chinese herbal medicine. It has a long history of medicinal use and is a famous and nourishing herbal medicine. Eucommia Bark is listed as a top-grade medicine in the "Shennong Bencao Jing". It is described in the book as " mainly for waist and spine pain, nourishing the middle, replenishing essence and qi, strengthening muscles and bones, strengthening will, removing itching and dampness under the genitals, and residual urine. Long-term use can resist aging. " This shows that Eucommia Bark has been widely used in ancient times and is believed to have a variety of nourishing and therapeutic effects. This article will introduce the origin of Eucommia Bark and the evaluation of ancient medical books, plant characteristics, differences between different varieties, indications, effects, modern applications and precautions.
Botanical properties of Eucommia Bark
Eucommia Bark mainly consists of two medicinal parts: bark and leaves. The bark is a traditional Chinese medicine, while the leaves are often used to make Eucommia tea. The medicinal part of Eucommia Bark is the dried bark, which is about 3 to 7 mm thick and light brown or gray-brown in appearance. The cross-section is connected by fine, silvery white and elastic rubber threads, which makes it easy to recognize. It is sweet, warm and non-toxic in nature. It enters the liver and kidney meridians and has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the bones and tendons, and calming the fetus.
Although Eucommia bark and leaves have many similarities in efficacy, they are also different in specific applications due to different content of ingredients. Eucommia bark is more suitable for use in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, while Eucommia leaves are more commonly used in daily health care and diet therapy, such as making Eucommia tea. Whether it is bark or leaves, it needs to be selected according to personal constitution and specific condition, and under the guidance of professional Chinese medicine practitioners to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Indications and effects of Eucommia Bark
Eucommia Bark is used in traditional prescriptions to treat diseases caused by liver and kidney deficiency, such as soreness or pain in the waist and knees, weakness in the muscles and bones, impotence, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, forgetfulness, dizziness, pregnancy bleeding, and fetal movement disorders. Modern pharmacological research has found that Eucommia ulmoides has multiple effects, such as lowering blood pressure, lowering lipids and blood sugar, anti-tumor, antibacterial, sedative and anti-oxidant.
Eucommia bark is a traditional Chinese medicine that has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the bones and tendons, and calming the fetus. In the Shennong Bencao Jing, Eucommia is listed as a top-grade medicine, describing its ability to "treat back pain, nourish the middle, benefit the essence and qi, strengthen the bones and tendons, strengthen the will, and remove itching and dampness under the genitals and residual urine. Long-term use can prevent aging."
Eucommia leaves are often used to make Eucommia tea, which has similar effects to Eucommia bark, but contains higher levels of certain active ingredients. Studies have shown that the chlorogenic acid content of Eucommia leaves is 18.75 times that of Eucommia bark, and the aucubin content is 6.4 times that of Eucommia bark.
Eucommia leaves have many functions, including lowering blood pressure, reducing lipids and blood sugar, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, calming nerves and anti-oxidation. In addition, Eucommia leaves can also improve back pain, lower limb weakness, nourish the kidneys and stabilize the fetus, prevent miscarriage or premature birth, help with postpartum confinement, help the uterus recover, improve bladder weakness, improve frequent urination or incontinence, and enhance immunity.
Modern Applications of Eucommia Bark
Modern research has found that Eucommia bark contains rich lignans, cycloterpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides and Eucommia antifungal proteins, as well as a variety of fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, trace elements and other ingredients. These ingredients make it effective in treating diseases such as soreness of waist and knees, weakness of muscles and bones, impotence, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, forgetfulness, dizziness, bleeding during pregnancy, and restless fetuses caused by liver and kidney deficiency.
Eucommia Bark contains a variety of antihypertensive ingredients, such as pinoresinol diglucoside, syringaresinol diglucoside, geniposide, syringin, quercetin, etc. These ingredients can effectively lower blood pressure and help maintain cardiovascular health.
Eucommia Bark also performs well in reducing blood lipids and blood sugar, and can reduce plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty acids and low-density lipoprotein. Flavonol glycosides can inhibit glycation, Eucommia Bark polysaccharides can reduce blood sugar, and Eucommia ulmoides extracts can significantly increase glucose transport and consumption in fat cells, dually regulating the balance of human bone metabolism and promoting protein synthesis.
Eucommia Bark has potential in anti-tumor, mainly by improving host immunity, promoting tumor cell apoptosis, and has the potential to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer. Eucommia Bark total polysaccharide has good anti-tumor activity and enhances the body's immunity, providing new possibilities for cancer treatment.
Eucommia Bark also has antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The chlorogenic acid it contains can effectively inhibit E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Eucommia Barkwater extract has a good antioxidant effect on edible oils and meats. It can be used as a food additive without toxic side effects and has certain dietary health care effects. Eucommia ulmoides leaves have a sedative effect when prepared in different ways. Compound Eucommia ulmoides tablets have a more obvious sedative and hypnotic effect, which helps to improve sleep quality.
Notes
Eucommia Bark belongs to the category of yang-tonifying herbs, so people with yin deficiency and internal heat constitution or those who have already developed fever symptoms are not suitable for drinking Eucommia ulmoides tea. Generally speaking, it is best to make a decision after evaluation by a professional Chinese medicine practitioner before using Eucommia ulmoides or drinking Eucommia ulmoides tea to regulate your constitution.
Hypertensive patients who are taking western medicine for treatment : Eucommia ulmoides has many benefits such as lowering blood pressure, helping blood lipid metabolism, and anti-inflammation. However, if you have high blood pressure and have been using western medicine to treat high blood pressure, and want to drink eucommia tea to enhance your health, it is best to consult with your attending physician first to see if there is anything special to pay attention to in terms of dosage and other aspects.
People who are prone to getting angry : Eucommia ulmoides has a mild nature and is not as prone to getting angry as Angelica dahurica and Chuanxiong. Therefore, even people with a yin deficiency and internal heat constitution can drink a small dose of Eucommia ulmoides tea to help maintain health. However, if you get angry when you eat something wrong, or if you are not sure whether you are prone to getting angry, it is recommended to discuss this with a doctor first.
In addition, taking large amounts of Eucommia ulmoides or drinking Eucommia Bark tea may cause "overdosage" symptoms of inflammation, such as sore mouth, sore throat, bleeding gums, constipation, irritability, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dizziness and other side effects.
Conclusion
As an ancient Chinese herbal medicine, Eucommia Bark has a long history of medicinal use and a variety of effects. Whether it is the traditional effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the bones and muscles, and calming the fetus, or the modern effects of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids and blood sugar, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, calming the nerves, and anti-oxidation, Eucommia Barkoccupies an important position in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. However, when using Eucommia Bark or drinking Eucommia ulmoides tea, you need to pay attention to your personal constitution and dosage. It is best to do it under the guidance of a professional Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure safety and effectiveness.
