Polygonatum rhizome is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, entering the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians. Analysis shows it contains steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, mucilage, quinones, various amino acids, starch, and trace elements such as zinc, copper, and iron. It has the effects of tonifying qi, nourishing yin, strengthening the spleen, moistening the lungs, and benefiting the kidneys. It is suitable for symptoms such as spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, dry mouth and poor appetite, dry cough due to lung deficiency, dizziness, lower back and knee weakness, premature graying of hair, and internal heat and thirst caused by kidney deficiency and essence depletion. The *Rihuazi Materia Medica* states that Polygonatum rhizome "tonifies the five weaknesses and seven injuries, strengthens muscles and bones, relieves hunger, withstands cold and heat, benefits the spleen and stomach, and moistens the heart and lungs." The *Sichuan Materia Medica* also records that it "tonifies the kidneys and moistens the lungs, benefits qi and nourishes yin. It treats spleen deficiency with a sallow complexion, lung deficiency with cough, weakness and numbness of muscles and bones, and postpartum weakness of qi and blood."
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that the aqueous extract of Polygonatum sibiricum has inhibitory effects on Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and herpes simplex virus. A 2% alcoholic extract of Polygonatum sibiricum has varying degrees of inhibitory effects on pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton violaceum and Epidermophyton rubrum. Oral administration of Polygonatum sibiricum decoction can increase the activity of superoxide dismutase in the liver and decrease the content of lipofuscin in the myocardium. It has the effects of lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, stopping bleeding, anti-fatigue, anti-oxidation, improving the body's immunity, and delaying aging. Experiments have also confirmed that intravenous injection of Polygonatum sibiricum aqueous extract can significantly increase coronary blood flow, combat myocardial ischemia, and enhance tolerance to hypoxia.
Polygonatum is usually taken internally as a decoction, with a common dosage of 10-30 grams. It can also be prepared into various dosage forms such as water and alcohol extracts, and water extracts. Commonly used prescriptions are as follows:
For pulmonary tuberculosis: Take 2500 grams of Polygonatum sibiricum, decoct in water and concentrate into a paste. Take orally 10 ml four times a day.
Tinea: Take an appropriate amount of Polygonatum rhizome, crush it, soak it in 95% alcohol for 1-2 days, distill off most of the alcohol, concentrate the solution, add 3 times the amount of water, let it settle, take the filtrate, evaporate off the remaining alcohol, and concentrate it to a thin paste, which is the crude Polygonatum rhizome liquid. Apply directly to the affected area twice a day.
To replenish essence and qi: Equal parts of polygonatum and wolfberry are ground into a fine powder, mixed with honey to form pills the size of a paulownia seed. Take fifty pills each time with warm water on an empty stomach.
For thirst due to stomach heat: 18 grams of Polygonatum sibiricum, 15 grams each of Rehmannia glutinosa and Dioscorea opposita, and 12 grams each of Trichosanthes kirilowii and Ophiopogon japonicus. Decocted in water and taken orally.
Hyperlipidemia: 30g of Polygonatum sibiricum, 25g of hawthorn, and 15g of Polygonum multiflorum, decocted in water and taken once a day.
Leukopenia: Prepare a 100% decoction of 2 parts Polygonatum and 5 parts Jujube, and take 20 ml orally three times a day.
For diabetes: 15g of Polygonatum sibiricum, 15g of Dioscorea opposita, and 12g each of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Polygonatum odoratum, and Ophiopogon japonicus, decocted in water and taken orally. This treatment is particularly effective for those with symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue, and weakness due to deficiency of both Qi and Yin.
