By Eric Brand

In ancient times, Ci Wu Jia and Wu Jia Pi were poorly differentiated from one another. It is likely that Ci Wu Jia has been used historically in Chinese medicine for a long time, but it was traditionally grouped together with Wu Jia Pi. Now Ci Wu Jia and Wu Jia Pi are regarded as separate medicinals from the same botanical family. Our modern understanding of the medicinal potential of Ci Wu Jia was inspired by Russian research, and now Ci Wu Jia has become incorporated into mainstream Chinese medicine as a distinct medicinal. Ci Wu Jia is thus considered to be a new medicinal in Chinese medicine, even though it was probably used as early as the Han dynasty as a variant of Wu Jia Pi.

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Ci Wu Jia generally consists of the root and rhizome of Eleutherococcus senticosus, but the stem is used as well. The "Great Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine" (Zhong Yi Da Ci Dian) states that some people consider it to be an acceptable substitute for Ren Shen. A translation of the standard Chinese textbook description is below:

LATIN PHARMACEUTICAL: Eleutherococci Senticosi Radix et Caulis.

SOURCE: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Maxim. [=Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms.]

NATURE AND FLAVOR: Sweet, slightly bitter; warm. (Some sources add acrid.)

CHANNEL ENTRY: Spleen, lung, heart, kidney.

Actions

Boosts qì and fortifies the spleen: Lung and spleen qì vacuity.

Cì wǔ jiā treats simple patterns of spleen qì vacuity or lung qì vacuity. It not only supplements spleen qì and boosts lung qì, but also dispels phlegm and calms panting.

Dual vacuity of the lung and spleen, manifesting in fatigue and lack of strength, poor appetite, and enduring cough or vacuity panting: Use alone or in combination with medicinals such as wǔ wèi zǐ (Schisandrae Fructus), tài zǐ shēn (Pseudostellariae Radix), and bái guǒ (Ginkgo Semen).

Supplements the kidney: Aching lumbus and knees in kidney vacuity. Cì wǔ jiā warms and assists yáng qì while strengthening sinew and bone.

Aching lumbus and knees due to insufficiency of kidney yáng depriving the sinews and bones of nourishment: Use alone or in conjunction with medicinals such as dù zhòng (Eucommiae Cortex) and sāng jì shēng (Taxilli Herba).

Cì wǔ jiā is also used to treat impotence, slowness to walk in children, and wind-damp impediment (bì) patterns with concurrent liver-kidney vacuity.

Quiets the spirit: Heart and spleen insufficiency, manifesting in insomnia or forgetfulness.

Cì wǔ jiā supplements heart and spleen qì while quieting the spirit and sharpening the wits (improving mental faculties). It boosts qì to engender blood, and is indicated for insomnia or forgetfulness due to dual vacuity of the heart and spleen depriving the heart spirit of nourishment. For this purpose, combine it with medicinals such as hé shǒu wū (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), suān zǎo rén (Ziziphi Spinosi Semen), shí chāng pú (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), and yuǎn zhì (Polygalae Radix).

Dosage and Method of Use

5–27 g in decoctions. Cì wǔ jiā is used orally in prepared products, and is also used by injection. It was rarely used historically as a distinct medicinal in Chinese medicine, but it is experiencing an increase in clinical use due to modern research.

Source: Concise Chinese Materia Medica, Brand and Wiseman, Paradigm Publications, 2008.