China Health Dictionary

Luck, Change ... china berry

(African) God has chosen Chinakah, Chynaka, Chinacka, Chinacca... chinaka

(African) God receives Chinarah, Chinarra, Chinarrah... chinara

(L.) DC.

Synonym: G. nudicaulis Arn.

Family: Asteraceae, Compositae.

Habitat: Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, Assam, and Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Action: Plant—emollient, resolvent. Used as a poultice in erysipelas and for tumours in the breast. Root—used both externally and internally for enhancing blood circulation especially when blue spots and blotches result from blows. The powdered root, mixed with tea, is given to parturient women. Leaves—used for poulticing pimples. The juice is used asa gargle for inflammations of the throat.... gynura pseudo-china

Linn.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: Japan, China and Cochin China.

Ayurvedic: Chobachini, Chopachi- ni, Dweepaantar-Vachaa, Madhus- nuhi, Hriddhaatri.

Unani: Chobchini.

Siddha/Tamil: Parangi chakkai.

Action: Tubers—used as alterative in venereal diseases, chronic skin diseases and rheumatic affections. Used as official sarsaparilla. (China of homoeopathic medicine is Peruvian bark, not Smilax china.)

Sarsaparilla (Smilax species) is used in Oriental as well as in Western herbal for its alterative, gentle circulatory stimulant and mild testosterone activity.

The root is known for its steroidal saponins. Pro-sapogenin-A of dioscin, dioscin, gracillin. Me-protogracillin, Me-protodioscin and its 22-hydroxy- analog; besides beta-sitosterol gluco- side, smilaxin, two furostan and one spirostane glycosides have been isolated from the root.

Dosage: Root—50-100 mg powder. (CCRAS.)... smilax china