Paris Root, Chong Lou: A Potent Herb for Clearing Heat, Reducing Swelling, and Calming Seizures in TCM
- Health Lab
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Paris Root, also known as Chong Lou or Seven-Leaf One-Flower, is the dried rhizome of Paris polyphylla or Paris yunnanensis, a plant from the lily family. Valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its ability to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, relieve pain, and calm seizures, it has been used for centuries. Its medicinal history traces back to ancient texts, and its applications continue to expand with modern research.
Historical Significance
Paris Root, Chong Lou was first mentioned in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), though its effects were not detailed at the time. Over the centuries, herbalists deepened its understanding.
In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen’s Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) described its appearance, origin, and effects, noting its ability to "clear heat, detoxify, disperse stasis, reduce swelling, calm seizures, and relieve pain." Later texts like Bencao Zhengyi and Bencao Beiyao further refined its uses, broadening its clinical applications.
Properties of Paris Root (Chong Lou)
Nature and Meridian Affinity
Taste: Bitter
Nature: Cold, slightly toxic
Meridian: Liver
Key Components
Paris Root contains active compounds like Paris saponins, which contribute to its pharmacological effects.
Main Functions
Clears heat and detoxifies: Treats conditions caused by heat-toxins.
Reduces swelling and relieves pain: Addresses swelling and pain from injuries or infections.
Cools the liver and calms seizures: Manages seizures and spasms, particularly in children.
Other effects: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, sedative, and analgesic properties.
Clinical Applications
Paris Root is widely used in TCM to treat the following conditions:
Clearing Heat and Detoxifying: Its cold, bitter nature makes it effective for heat-toxin conditions like abscesses, sore throat, or snake and insect bites.
Reducing Swelling and Relieving Pain: It helps with swelling and pain from trauma, blood stasis, or scrofula (lymph node tuberculosis).
Cooling the Liver and Calming Seizures: It treats pediatric convulsions or epilepsy caused by liver heat.
Paris Root (Chong Lou) in Classic TCM Formulas
Paris Root is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Due to its potency, it appears in fewer classic formulas but is used flexibly in modern practice. Here are some examples:
Zijin Zhenggu Dan (Purple-Gold Bone-Setting Pill): Contains Paris Root, Realgar, Cinnabar, Musk, and others. It clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces swelling, used for abscesses, sores, or sore throat.
Jiedu Huoxue Tang (Detoxifying and Blood-Activating Decoction): Includes Paris Root, Honeysuckle, Forsythia, Red Peony, and others. It clears heat, detoxifies, and promotes blood circulation, treating trauma-related swelling and pain.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
Paris Root shares some functions with other TCM herbs, but each has distinct strengths:
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua): Weaker in clearing heat and detoxifying, better for wind-heat conditions like colds or sore throat.
Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying): Less potent in reducing swelling, often used for breast abscesses.
Barbed Skullcap (Ban Zhi Lian): Stronger in anti-tumor effects, used for various cancers.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern studies have validated Paris Root’s traditional uses and uncovered additional benefits:
Antibacterial: Inhibits various bacteria and fungi.
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory mediators.
Anti-tumor: Inhibits tumor cell growth and induces apoptosis.
Sedative: Calms the central nervous system, promoting relaxation.
Analgesic: Relieves pain effectively.
In modern medicine, Paris Root is used for infections, inflammatory conditions, tumors, and skin disorders like herpes zoster. Research suggests it may also aid in treating breast, lung, or liver cancer.
Precautions for Use
Dosage: Typically 3–9 grams, adjusted based on the condition and medical advice.
Contraindications: Use cautiously in pregnant women or those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold.
Incompatibilities: No specific herb incompatibilities, but avoid spicy or irritating foods.
Toxicity: Slightly toxic; avoid long-term or excessive use and follow medical guidance.
Conclusion
Paris Root is a powerful herb in TCM, valued for its ability to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, relieve pain, and calm seizures. Its applications, supported by historical knowledge and modern research, make it a versatile remedy. Always consult a qualified practitioner to ensure safe and effective use, considering its properties, slight toxicity, and precautions. As research advances, Paris Root’s potential in modern medicine continues to grow.
Chinese Name | 重樓 |
Chinese Pinyin | Chonglou |
English Name | Chinese Manyleaf Paris Rhizome |
Latin Pharmaceutical Name | Paridis Rhizoma |
Category | Roots and rhizomes |
Origin | The dried rhizome of Paris yunnanensis Franch, or Paris polyphylla Sm. (Liliaceae). |
Production Regions | Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan. |
Macroscopic Features | Oblate cylindrical shape, flat and straight, rarely curved, 1~6cm diameter, 4.5~12cm long. Externally yellowish-brown, seldom grayish-brown, relatively flat; few circular knots indistinctly raised. Stem scars are half-spherical or flat oval, irregular arranged; surface is relatively flat or slightly raised. Hard texture, difficult to break; powdery or horn-like when broken. faint odor, bitter taste. Cut surface is white or off-white and powdery. |
Quality Requirements | Superior medicinal material is thick, strong, and firm, with a white and powdery fractured surface. |
Properties | Bitter; slightly cold; slightly toxic. |
Functions | Clears heat, resolves toxin, disperses swelling, relieves pain, cools the live, settles fright. Apply to swelling furuncle and carbuncle, throat swelling and pain, toxic snake bites, pain due to falling wound, convulsion. |
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