Bai bu

Radix Stemonae (Baibu) Stemona Root Stemona Root is the dried root tuber of Stemona sessilifolia (Miq.) Miq., Stemona japonica (Bl.) Miq. or Stemona tuberosa Lour. (Fam. Stemonaceae). The drug is collected in summer and autumn, removed from rootlet, washed clean, treated with boiling water for a moment or steamed until the centre of the cut surface is devoid of a white core, and dried in the sun. Description Root of Stemona sessilifolia Fusiform, the upper end relatively slender, shrunken and curved, 5-12 cm long, 0.5-1 cm in diameter. Externally yellowish-white or pale brownish-yellow, with irregular longitudinal deep furrows, and occasionally transverse wrinkles. Texture fragile, easily broken, fracture even, horny, pale yellowish-brown or yellowish-white, bark broad, stele compressed. Odour, slight; taste, sweet and bitter. Root of Stomona japonica Two ends slightly thinned. Externally mostly with irregular longitudianl folds and transverse wrinkls. Root of Stemona tuberosa Long fus