Herbological Studies on "Male" and "Female" Heshouwu / 中草药

ABSTRACT

The saying that the herbal Heshouwu were present in "male" and "female" forms was studied as for its trivical name, pharmacognosy and drug action.Results of the study showed that the So-called "female" Heshouwu is actually Cynanchum bungei Decne and the "male" form is Polygonum multiflorum. Coincidently, the historical origin of such saying was briefly discussed.