Shi Chang Pu
Acorus tatarinowii Schott
☯ TCM Properties
Expels Phlegm and Opens the Orifices; Awakens the Spirit and Sharpens the Mind; Transforms Dampness and Harmonizes the Stomach; Harmonizes the Middle Burner; Calms the Spirit
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Acorus tatarinowii is a perennial, semi-aquatic herbaceous plant in the family Acoraceae, native to wet rocky stream margins, seeps, and shaded moist woodlands across China, Korea, Japan, and northern India. It grows from a slender, branching, horizontally creeping rhizome 3-10 mm thick, with conspicuous nodal scars and tufts of fibrous roots; the rhizome is intensely aromatic when broken, releasing a sweet, spicy, camphor-like fragrance. Linear, grasslike, sword-shaped, glossy dark-green leaves 20-50 cm long and 2-6 mm wide arise in two-ranked fans directly from the rhizome, lacking a prominent midrib. Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers are densely packed in a slender, cylindrical, finger-like spadix 3-8 cm long, subtended by a leaflike spathe. The fruit is a small green berry.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| powder | 0.3-1g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shi Chang Pu (acorus rhizome, stone acorns) is a warm, pungent aromatic herb that opens the Heart orifices, transforms turbid Phlegm from the Heart and Pericardium, and calms the Spirit. It is used for mental cloudiness, memory difficulties, tinnitus, and confusion from Phlegm obstructing the sensory orifices. Its warm, penetrating aromatic nature also dispels Wind-Cold-Damp from the channels for joint and muscle pain, and it is an important herb in formulas for cognitive decline and for opening blocked sensory pathways.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.