When it comes to the herb Yuzhu, many people are likely familiar with it. In fact, Yuzhu has a wide distribution and typically grows in humid environments. Its rhizome is used medicinally, primarily for its effective role in lowering blood sugar and blood pressure. However, since Yuzhu is a medicinal herb, many people worry about its side effects. Below, we'll outline the benefits and potential side effects of Yuzhu.
As the Chinese proverb aptly states, "All medicines have some toxicity." This reminds us that every medication carries potential side effects. While Yuzhu offers significant therapeutic benefits, many remain apprehensive about its potential adverse reactions.Below is a detailed explanation of Yuzhu's side effects. Yuzhu is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Liliaceae family. Its rhizome grows horizontally, is fleshy and yellowish-white, and densely covered with numerous fibrous roots. The leaf surface is green, while the underside is gray. Flowers grow in the leaf axils, typically clustered in groups of 1 to 3. Native to southwest China, it is widely distributed in the wild. It is cold-tolerant, shade-tolerant, prefers moist environments, and thrives in loose soil rich in humus.The Classic of Materia Medica states, "Its stem is strong and straight, resembling a bamboo arrow shaft with nodes," hence the name "jade bamboo." The rhizome is used medicinally under the Chinese herbal name Yuzhu. Harvested in autumn, it is washed, sun-dried until pliable, then repeatedly kneaded and air-dried until the core softens. Alternatively, it may be steamed until translucent, kneaded, sun-dried, and sliced into thick pieces or segments for use.Flavonoids extracted from Yuzhu combine with deoxynoctinol from mulberry leaf extract to form a new compound—Xiyinqingtangsu—which exhibits hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hypotensive effects.
Primary Value
Functions and Indications: Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, alleviates restlessness, and quenches thirst.Treats yin deficiency in febrile diseases, cough with thirst, consumptive fever, excessive hunger despite eating, and frequent urination.
Pharmacological Effects
1. Cardiac Effects: Low doses of Yuzhu decoction or tincture rapidly enhance isolated frog heart contractions; high doses weaken or halt heartbeat.Reports suggest Yuzhu's cardiac effects correlate with its lily-of-the-valley glycosides and lily-of-the-valley glycoside. Experiments indicate: Yuzhu injection (100%) has negligible effects on isolated frog hearts at low doses but exhibits inhibitory effects at high doses;It first inhibits then stimulates the contractility of isolated rabbit hearts, with no effect on heart rate. It has no significant effect on the contractility or heart rate of intact rabbit hearts. It provides some protection against acute myocardial ischemia induced by posterior pituitary hormone in rabbits.
2. Effects on Blood Pressure: Intravenous injection of 1–5 ml of 20% Yuzhu decoction into rabbits causes a gradual rise in blood pressure.Small doses of Yuzhu decoction had no effect on blood pressure in anesthetized dogs, while larger doses caused a temporary decrease. Other reports indicate that Yuzhu stem and leaf extracts or decoctions (species unspecified) produced transient hypotensive effects in rabbits and dogs. This effect was attenuated after bilateral vagus nerve transection and atropine injection.
3. Effects on Blood Glucose: Intramuscular injection of 0.5 g/kg solomonseal extract in rabbits elevated blood glucose levels. Oral administration of solomonseal extract caused blood glucose to rise initially then fall, significantly inhibiting epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia and also suppressing glucose- and alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in rats.
4. Effects on blood vessels: Perfusion experiments on whole-body and hindlimb vessels of frogs showed that a 20% decoction of Yuzhu (produced in Laoshan, Shandong) significantly reduced vascular perfusion flow. Intravenous injection of 10 ml of 20% Yuzhu decoction in anesthetized dogs decreased kidney volume.
5. Effects on lipid profiles:Oral or intramuscular administration of Yuzhu injection (produced in Yuquan, Northeast China) twice daily for 4 days demonstrated that Yuzhu prevents triglyceride elevation. However, blood cholesterol levels increased significantly post-administration compared to pre-treatment. Thus, Yuzhu injection exhibits therapeutic potential for hypertriglyceridemia. It also mitigates the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in animal arteries (as observed macroscopically).
6. Functional Effects: Oral administration of Yuzhu ethanol extract significantly elevated serum hemolysin antibody levels in mice, enhanced phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophages, and improved splenic lymphocyte proliferation response to ConA. This suggests Yuzhu may function as an immunostimulant primarily by enhancing humoral immunity and phagocytic activity.7. Effects on Smooth Muscle: A 20% Yuzhu decoction initially excites then inhibits isolated mouse intestinal segments. It exerts only mild stimulation on isolated mouse uterine tissue.
8. Other Effects: Perfusing frogs' entire bodies or hindlimbs with Yuzhu decoction induces vasoconstriction. Yuzhu injection (100%) dilates toad hindlimb vessels;It also dilates isolated rabbit ear vessels upon perfusion, though this vasodilatory effect is independent of neural pathways. Yuzhu decoction slightly stimulates isolated mouse uterine tissue, while initially enhancing intestinal motility before gradually inducing relaxation and reduced peristalsis. Oral administration of Yuzhu decoction reduces triglycerides, cholesterol, and β-lipoprotein levels in experimental hyperlipidemic rabbits.Intragastric or intramuscular administration of Yuzhu injection prevents triglyceride elevation, while cholesterol levels increase significantly post-administration compared to baseline. It also exhibits a certain mitigating effect on atherosclerotic plaque formation in animals.
Side Effects of Yuzhu: Experts indicate that Yuzhu's side effects are generally minimal and nearly negligible. However, for added reassurance, consulting a physician before use is advisable to ensure safe and reliable administration.
Economic Value: Yuzhu possesses properties that nourish yin, moisten dryness, clear heat, generate fluids, and relieve cough. Used as a tonic herb, it primarily treats yin deficiency from febrile diseases, dry cough due to deficiency heat, heart disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, and more. It also serves as a premium health food, delicacy, and beverage with wellness benefits, making it worthwhile for widespread cultivation by farmers.
After reviewing the detailed explanation above regarding the side effects of Yuzhu, you should now have a general understanding of this medicinal herb.Yuzhu offers excellent efficacy and benefits, particularly for chronic conditions in middle-aged and elderly individuals, with notable therapeutic effects on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other ailments. It also nourishes yin and moistens dryness. Its side effects are relatively minor, so there is no need for excessive concern. For added peace of mind, consulting a physician before use ensures safer consumption.