Wu Jia Pi
Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W. Smith
โฏ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness; Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin; Strengthens the Sinews and Bones; Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Eleutherococcus gracilistylus (syn. Acanthopanax gracilistylus, Araliaceae), known as Wu Jia Pi, is a deciduous spiny shrub 2-3 m tall with slender, sparingly prickly branches. The palmately compound leaves bear 3-5 obovate to elliptic, finely serrate leaflets 3-8 cm long on long petioles. Small greenish-yellow flowers are arranged in solitary or paired umbels at the branch tips, followed by globose black drupes 6-8 mm across that ripen in autumn. The shrub is native to thickets and forest margins of central and southern China at 200-1600 m elevation. The root bark, peeled from the root in summer or autumn, dried, and cut into rolled or quilled pieces, is the medicinal Wu Jia Pi, distinct from the related Ci Wu Jia (E. senticosus). (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia; Bensky)
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Wu Jia Pi (acanthopanax bark, eleuthero bark) is a warm herb used to tonify the Liver and Kidney, strengthen bones and sinew, expel Wind-Cold-Damp, and reduce edema. It addresses lower back and knee pain, joint stiffness, and weakness from Liver-Kidney deficiency combined with Wind-Cold-Damp obstruction, making it well suited for elderly patients with both deficiency and joint pathology. Its mild diuretic action also reduces edema. Wu Jia Pi was a traditional ingredient in classical Chinese medicinal wines for chronic weakness and joint pain.
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.