Meet the newest additions to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Garden

– By Alina Baker, RH, R.Ac

With a nod of respect and gratitude to the traditional wisdom carriers, the scientists, and the plants themselves that bring us this knowledge – it is our pleasure to introduce to you the newest members of our ever-growing medicinal garden at Innisfree Farm & Botanic Garden on Vancouver Island.

Balloon Flower (Jie Geng) – Platycodon grandiflorus

Part used: Roots

TCM actions: Transforms phlegm cold, disseminates lung qi, expels phlegm – cough, benefits the throat, guides other herbs in a formula to the upper part of the body

Western Medicinal Uses: P. grandiflorus possesses several pharmacologically important actions such as reducing blood lipids, preventing atherosclerosis, controlling inflammation, alleviating cough and phlegm, and promoting bile secretion. Platycodin D, a major constituent of this plant has been shown to fight cancer by inducing apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting angiogenesis, and preventing metastasis by regulating several signalling pathways which are frequently deregulated in cancers

Garlic Chives (Jiu Cai Zi) – Allium tuberosum

Part used: Seed

TCM Actions: Tonifies Yang deficiency, warms and tonifies both Kidney and Liver, promotes circulation of Qi and blood, dispels stagnation

Western Medicinal Uses: The medicinal actions of garlic chives are thought to be similar to other members of the onion family – warming and stimulating blood flow, helping to prevent clotting, and typically having some antimicrobial activity. Some research suggests a mild aphrodisiac effect, likely owing to its positive influence on circulation.

Siberian Ginseng (Ci Wu Jia) – Eleutherococcus senticosus

Part used: Roots

TCM Actions: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi, warms the Kidneys Heart Qi and calms the Shen (mind), invigorates the Blood and unblocks the channels

Western Medicinal Uses: Siberian ginseng has been popularized in the West as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress, supports energy levels, combats fatigue, and restores homeostasis. Research suggests that Siberian Ginseng helps to strengthen and normalize immune function, improve cognitive function and mental performance, and promote favorable HPA axis activity. Extracts of eleuthro have demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in certain cancers.

Leopard Lily (She gan) – Belamcanda chinensis

Part used: Rhizome

TCM Actions: Clears Heat, relieves Fire toxicity and improves the throat, transforms Phlegm and clears the Lungs.

Western Medicinal Uses: Leopard Lily displays pharmacological activity primarily as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, which may make it useful in conditions such as arthritis and oxidative stress. It also has immunomodulatory effects, suggesting a role in supporting immune health, while preliminary evidence has also found antimicrobial and anti-tumor properties.

Chinese Reineckia (Ji Xiang Cao) – Reineckia carnea

Part used: Aerial parts

TCM Actions: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, benefits the lungs.

Western Medicinal Uses: Studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of this plant in chronic lung conditions such as COPD and Asthma by promoting mucous expectoration, alleviating spasmodic cough, reducing phlegm, and resolving inflammation. Flavonoids isolated from Reineckia have demonstrated cytotoxicity against renal and cervical cancer cells.

Korean Ginseng (Ren Shen) – Panax ginseng

Part Used: Root

TCM Actions: Powerfully tonifies yang and Qi, especially that of the Spleen and Stomach (digestion), Lung, and heart.

Western Medicinal Uses: Panax ginseng is most well known for its adaptogenic and energy-stimulating properties, helping the body adapt to stress and promote overall well-being. Panax ginseng may enhance cognitive function, boost energy levels, improve immune function, and support cardiovascular health. It has also been found to improve glucose metabolism and prevent cancer through its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, immunomodulation, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, and suppression of angiogenesis.

Chocolate Vine (Mu Tong) – Akebia quinata

Part used: Stems

TCM actions: Promotes urination and unblocks obstruction of the urinary tract, drains Heart Heat through the Small Intestine, promotes lactation and unblocks Blood vessels

Western Medicine: Studies of Mu Tong extract have confirmed diuretic and hepato-protective (liver protective) activities that confirm its traditional indications and have discovered additional neuroprotective, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and mild antibacterial effects. Akeabia saponin E, a major constituent of this plant, has demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in liver and stomach cancers.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7073691/#:~:text=P.,secretion%2C%20and%20as%20an%20antioxidant.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19429330/

https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/CiWuJia.html

https://yinyanghouse.com/theory/theory/herbalmedicine/tcm_herbal_medicine_database/#J

https://www.google.com/search?q=anticancer+effects+of+akebia&oq=anticancer+effects+of+akebia&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigAdIBCDYzNzVqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874121007157

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36733196/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26648178/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36532756/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24678740/

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/22/16536#:~:text=Among%20these%2C%20Reineckia%20carnea%20(Andr,and%20bronchial%20asthma%20%5B8%5D.