土牛膝，中药名。为苋科牛膝属植物牛膝AchyranthesbidentataBlume的野生种及柳叶牛膝Achyrantheslongifolia（Makino）Makino、粗毛牛膝AchyranthesasperaL.、钝叶土牛膝AchyranthesasperaL.var.indicaL.的根及根茎。植物牛膝，除东北外全国广布，朝鲜、苏联、印度、越南、菲律宾、马来西亚、非洲均有分布；植物柳叶牛膝，分布于我国陕西、浙江、江西、湖南、湖北、四川、云南、贵州、广东、台湾，日本也有分布；植物粗毛牛膝，分布于我国湖南、江西、福建、台湾、广东、广西、四川、云南、贵州，印度、越南、菲律宾、马来西亚等地也有分布；植物钝叶土牛膝，分布于我国台湾、广东、四川、云南，印度及斯里兰卡也有分布。具有活血祛瘀，泻火解毒，利尿通淋之功效。主治闭经，跌打损伤，风湿关节痛，痢疾，白喉，咽喉肿痛，疮痈，淋证，水肿。
Tu-niu-xi, name of Chinese Medicinal Material. Achyranthes bidentata Blume) refers to the wild species of Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Achyranthes longifolia (Makino) Makino, Achyranthes aspera L., and Achyranthes aspera L. var. indica L. in the Amaranthaceae family. The Achyranthes bidentata is widely distributed throughout China except for the northeast region, and can also be found in North Korea, the Soviet Union, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Africa. Achyranthes longifolia is distributed in Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Taiwan in China, and also in Japan. Achyranthes aspera is found in Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Achyranthes aspera var. indica is distributed in Taiwan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Yunnan, India, and Sri Lanka. It is known for its functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, clearing heat and detoxification, diuresis, and treating stranguria. It is commonly used for irregular menstruation, traumatic injuries, rheumatic joint pain, dysentery, diphtheria, sore throat, carbuncles, urinary disorders, and edema.

功效作用 Efficacy and Functions

活血祛瘀，泻火解毒，利尿通淋。
Promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, clearing heat and toxins, and promoting diuresis to treat stranguria.

主治 Indications

闭经，跌打损伤，风湿关节痛，痢疾，白喉，咽喉肿痛，疮痈，淋证，水肿。
Amenorrhea, bruises and sprains, rheumatic joint pain, dysentery, diphtheria, sore throat, carbuncles, stranguria, and edema.

用法用量 Dosage and Administration

内服：煎汤，9～15g；鲜品30～60g。外用：适量，捣敷；或捣汁滴耳；或研末吹喉。
Internal use: Decoction, 9–15g; fresh product, 30–60g. External use: appropriate amount, crushed and applied as a poultice; or juice dripped into the ear; or ground into powder for blowing into the throat.

注意事项 Precautions

孕妇忌服。
Pregnant women should avoid taking it.

药理作用 Pharmacological Effects

1、抗生育作用。

1. Contraceptive effect.

2、子宫兴奋作用。
2. Uterine excitatory effect.

3、抗炎作用。
3. Anti-inflammatory effect.

4、对蛋白质合成前体掺入肝、肾组织有促进作用。
4. Promotes the incorporation of protein synthesis precursors into liver and kidney tissues.

相关论述 Relevant Discussions

1、《本草图经》：“治妇人血块”。

1. "Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica": "Treats blood clots in women."

2、《纲目拾遗》：“活血化瘀，宽筋，理跌打损伤。治破伤风，七十二般恶疾。”“善能理疮，并刀箭入肉。”
2. "Compendium of Materia Medica: Supplement": "Activates blood circulation and resolves stasis, relaxes tendons, and treats traumatic injuries. Treats tetanus and seventy-two kinds of serious illnesses." "Skilled in treating wounds, including knife and arrow injuries."

3、《岭南采药录》：“为收敛药及利小便药，清血消毒。治喉症捣汁含漱；又散血止痛，理脚气，煎酒服。”
3. "Records of Herbal Medicine Collection in Lingnan": "Used as an astringent and diuretic, clears blood and detoxifies. For throat conditions, crush and gargle with the juice; also disperses blood stasis, relieves pain, treats beriberi, and take as wine decoction."

临床应用 Clinical Applications

1、治水疔，土牛膝不拘多少。捣烂入盐少许。和匀敷疔上，半日即愈。（《疡医大全》）

1. To treat water boils, use an unspecified amount of earth ox-knee. Crush it, mix with a small amount of salt, apply evenly on the boil, and it will heal within half a day. (From "Complete Manual of Ulcer Medicine")

2、治瘰疬，用杜牛膝捣敷，缚其上，一日一易。（《脉因证治》）
2. To treat scrofula, crush and apply Duxinian (Du Niu Xi), bind it on, and change daily. (From "Pulse, Cause, and Treatment")

3、治烂疮累治不可者，用杜牛膝并盐泥捣拌，敷患处。（《普济方》）
3. For stubborn ulcers that are difficult to heal, mix Du Niu Xi with salted mud, crush and apply to the affected area. (From "Universal Relief Formula")

加工炮制 Processing and Preparation

采收加工全年均可，除去茎叶，洗净，鲜用或晒干。
Can be harvested all year round. Remove stems and leaves, wash clean, and use fresh or sun-dry.

炮制方法取原药材，除去杂质，洗净喷淋清水，稍润，切斜薄片或不规则的段状，干燥。
The processing method: Take the raw herb, remove impurities, wash with clean water, slightly moisten, cut into oblique thin slices or irregular segments, and dry.

药材鉴别 Medicinal Material Identification

药材性状
1、（1）牛膝（野生品），根茎呈圆柱状，长1～3㎝，直径5～10㎜，灰棕色，上端有茎基残留，周围着生多数粗细不一的根。根长圆柱形，略弯曲，长约15cm以下，径可达4㎜；表面淡灰棕色，有细密的纵皱纹。质稍柔软，干透后易折断，断面黄棕色，可见成圈状散列的维管束。气微，味微甜。

（2）柳叶牛膝，根茎短粗，长2～6㎝，径1～1．5㎝。根4～9条，扭曲，长10～20㎝，径0．4～1．2㎝，向下渐细。表面灰黄褐色，具细密的纵皱纹及须根除去后的痕迹。质硬而稍有弹性，易折断，断面皮部淡灰褐色，略光亮，可见多数点状散布的维管束。气微，味初微甜后涩。
(2) Achyranthes bidentata var. wilsonii: Rhizome short and thick, 2–6 cm long, 1–1.5 cm in diameter. 4–9 twisted roots, 10–20 cm long, 0.4–1.2 cm in diameter, tapering downward. Surface grayish-yellowish-brown with fine longitudinal wrinkles and traces of removed root hairs. Hard but slightly elastic, breaks easily, cortex pale grayish-brown, slightly shiny, with numerous dotted vascular bundles. Slight odor, taste slightly sweet at first, then astringent.

（3）粗毛牛膝，根茎短圆柱形，灰棕色，周围着生众多圆柱状细长的根，长6～10㎝，粗2～5㎜，略弯曲。表面灰棕色，有细浅的纵皱纹。质坚硬，易折断，断面纤维性，淡灰青色至灰白色。味淡无臭。
(3) Achyranthes bidentata var. robusta: Rhizome short cylindrical, grayish-brown, with numerous slender cylindrical roots (6–10 cm long, 2–5 mm thick), slightly curved. Surface grayish-brown with shallow longitudinal wrinkles. Hard texture, fibrous fracture, cross-section light grayish-blue to grayish-white. Tasteless and odorless.

（4）钝叶土牛膝，形状与粗毛牛膝相似，略粗大。
(4) Achyranthes bidentata var. obtusifolia: Similar in shape to var. robusta, but slightly thicker.

饮片性状切斜薄片或小段，外表面灰棕色，具细密的纵皱纹，切面黄棕色，有的中空，维管束呈点状排列成2～4轮。质韧，气微，味微甜而涩。
Appearance of processed slices: Thin oblique slices or small segments; outer surface grayish-brown with fine longitudinal wrinkles; cut surface yellowish-brown, sometimes hollow, with vascular bundles arranged in 2–4 concentric rings as dots. Tough texture, slight odor, slightly sweet and astringent taste.

植物学信息 Botanical Information

形态特征
1、植物牛膝，多年生草本，高70～120厘米；根圆柱形，直径5～10毫米，土黄色；茎有棱角或四方形，绿色或带紫色，有白色贴生或开展柔毛，或近无毛，分枝对生。叶片椭圆形或椭圆披针形，少数倒披针形，长4.5～12厘米，宽2～7.5厘米，顶端尾尖，尖长5～10毫米，基部楔形或宽楔形，两面有贴生或开展柔毛；叶柄长5～30毫米，有柔毛。穗状花序顶生及腋生，长3～5厘米，花期后反折；总花梗长1～2厘米，有白色柔毛；花多数，密生，长5毫米；苞片宽卵形，长2～3毫米，顶端长渐尖；小苞片刺状，长2.5～3毫米，顶端弯曲，基部两侧各有1卵形膜质小裂片，长约1毫米；花被片披针形，长3～5毫米，光亮，顶端急尖，有1中脉；雄蕊长2～2.5毫米；退化雄蕊顶端平圆，稍有缺刻状细锯齿。胞果矩圆形，长2～2.5毫米，黄褐色，光滑。种子矩圆形，长1毫米，黄褐色。花期7～9月，果期9～10月。

1. Plant Achyranthes bidentata: Perennial herb, 70–120 cm tall. Roots cylindrical, 5–10 mm in diameter, earth-yellow. Stems angular or quadrangular, green or purplish, with white appressed or spreading pubescence, or nearly glabrous, opposite branching. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, rarely oblanceolate, 4.5–12 cm × 2–7.5 cm, acuminate tip (5–10 mm long), wedge-shaped or broadly wedge-shaped base, both surfaces pubescent. Petioles 5–30 mm, hairy. Spikes terminal and axillary, 3–5 cm long, reflexed after flowering. Peduncles 1–2 cm, with white soft hairs. Flowers numerous, dense, 5 mm long. Bracts broadly ovate, 2–3 mm, long-acuminate apex. Bracteoles spine-like, 2.5–3 mm, curved tip, each side of base with an ovoid membranous lobe (~1 mm). Tepals lanceolate, 3–5 mm, shiny, acute apex, one central vein. Stamens 2–2.5 mm. Staminodes with flat-rounded apex, slightly notched with fine serrations. Utricles oblong, 2–2.5 mm, yellowish-brown, smooth. Seeds oblong, 1 mm, yellowish-brown. Flowering July–September, fruiting September–October.

2、植物柳叶牛膝，与牛膝相似，叶片披针形或宽披针形，长10～20厘米，宽2～5厘米，顶端尾尖；小苞片针状，长3.5毫米，基部有2耳状薄片，仅有缘毛；退化雄蕊方形，顶端有不显明牙齿。花果期9～11月。
2. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. wilsonii: Similar to A. bidentata, but leaves lanceolate or broad-lanceolate, 10–20 cm × 2–5 cm, caudate apex. Bracteoles needle-like, 3.5 mm, with two ear-shaped thin membranes at base, ciliate margins. Staminodes square, apex with indistinct teeth. Flowering and fruiting from September to November.

3、植物粗毛牛膝，别名土牛膝，多年生草本，高20～120厘米；根细长，直径3～5毫米，土黄色；茎四棱形，有柔毛，节部稍膨大，分枝对生。叶片纸质，宽卵状倒卵形或椭圆状矩圆形，长1.5～7厘米，宽0.4～4厘米，顶端圆钝，具突尖，基部楔形或圆形，全缘或波状缘，两面密生柔毛，或近无毛；叶柄长5～15毫米，密生柔毛或近无毛。穗状花序顶生，直立，长10～30厘米，花期后反折；总花梗具棱角，粗壮，坚硬，密生白色伏贴或开展柔毛；花长3～4毫米，疏生；苞片披针形，长3～4毫米，顶端长渐尖，小苞片刺状，长2.5～4.5毫米，坚硬，光亮，常带紫色，基部两侧各有1个薄膜质翅，长1.5～2毫米，全缘，全部贴生在刺部，但易于分离；花被片披针形，长3.5～5毫米，长渐尖，花后变硬且锐尖，具1脉；雄蕊长2.5～3.5毫米；退化雄蕊顶端截状或细圆齿状，有具分枝流苏状长缘毛。胞果卵形，长2.5～3毫米。种子卵形，不扁压，长约2毫米，棕色。花期6～8月，果期10月。
3. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. robusta (syn. Radix Cyathulae): Also known as Tu Niu Xi, perennial herb, 20–120 cm tall. Roots slender, 3–5 mm in diameter, earth-yellow. Stem quadrangular, pubescent, nodes slightly swollen, opposite branches. Leaves papery, broadly obovate, elliptic-oblong, 1.5–7 cm × 0.4–4 cm, apex rounded and blunt with mucro, base wedge-shaped or rounded, entire or undulate margin, densely pubescent on both sides or nearly glabrous. Petioles 5–15 mm, densely pubescent or nearly glabrous. Terminal spikes erect, 10–30 cm long, reflexed after flowering. Peduncle angular, stout, densely covered with appressed or spreading white hairs. Flowers 3–4 mm, sparse. Bracts lanceolate, 3–4 mm, long-acuminate apex. Bracteoles spine-like, 2.5–4.5 mm, hard, shiny, often purplish, with membranous wing (1.5–2 mm) on each side of base, entire, appressed but separable. Tepals lanceolate, 3.5–5 mm, long-acuminate, becoming hard and sharp after flowering, one-veined. Stamens 2.5–3.5 mm. Staminodes truncate or finely denticulate, with branched, fimbriate marginal hairs. Utricles ovoid, 2.5–3 mm. Seeds ovoid, not compressed, ~2 mm, brown. Flowering June–August, fruiting October.

4、植物钝叶土牛膝，茎密生白色或黄色长柔毛。叶片倒卵形，长1.5～6.5厘米，宽2～4厘米，顶端圆钝，常有凸尖，基部宽楔形，边缘波状，两面密生柔毛。
4. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. obtusifolia: Stem densely covered with long white or yellowish soft hairs. Leaves obovate, 1.5–6.5 cm × 2–4 cm, apex broadly rounded, often mucronate, base broadly wedge-shaped, undulate margin, both surfaces densely pubescent.

分布区域 Distribution Area

1、植物牛膝，除东北外全国广布，朝鲜、苏联、印度、越南、菲律宾、马来西亚、非洲均有分布。

1. Plant Achyranthes bidentata: Widely distributed throughout China except Northeast, also found in North Korea, Russia, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Africa.

2、植物柳叶牛膝，分布于我国陕西、浙江、江西、湖南、湖北、四川、云南、贵州、广东、台湾，日本也有分布。
2. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. wilsonii: Distributed in Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Taiwan in China, as well as Japan.

3、植物粗毛牛膝，分布于我国湖南、江西、福建、台湾、广东、广西、四川、云南、贵州，印度、越南、菲律宾、马来西亚等地也有分布。
3. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. robusta: Found in Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou in China, as well as India, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia.

4、植物钝叶土牛膝，分布于我国台湾、广东、四川、云南，印度及斯里兰卡也有分布。
4. Plant Achyranthes bidentata var. obtusifolia: Distributed in Taiwan, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Yunnan in China, as well as India and Sri Lanka.

生长环境 Growing Environment

1、植物牛膝，生于山坡林下，海拔200～1750米。

1. Achyranthes bidentata grows under forest cover on mountain slopes at altitudes of 200–1750 meters.

2、植物柳叶牛膝，生于山坡。
2. Achyranthes bidentata var. wilsonii grows on mountain slopes.

3、粗毛牛膝，生于山坡疏林或村庄附近空旷地，海拔800～2300米。
3. Achyranthes bidentata var. robusta grows in sparse forests on mountain slopes or open areas near villages, at 800–2300 meters altitude.

4、钝叶土牛膝，生于田埂、路边、河旁。
4. Achyranthes bidentata var. obtusifolia grows on field ridges, roadsides, and riverbanks.