Du Zhong – AiQUIN.com

Eucommia Bark, Dù Zhòng, 杜仲, Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis

Disclaimer For educational purposes only. Do not use as medical advice

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Health Benefits

For: Hypertension • Arthritis • Osteoporosis • Joint pain • Knee pain • Pregnancy bleeding • High cholesterol • Lower back pain

Du Zhong has both phytoestrogen and phytoandrogen to help both men and women on bone density, fertility, and sex drive. Significantly lowers total cholesterol - particularly the plasma levels of triglyceride.

Attributes: Anti-aging • Stress reducer • Anxiety reducer • Adaptogen • Phytoestrogen

Products (online examples)

Research:

Bone growth: Effects of Eucommia ulmoides extract on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats.
Bones and Joints: Eucommia Bark Benefits, a Tonic Herb for the Bones and Joints
Bone loss: Effects of total lignans from Eucommia ulmoides barks prevent bone loss in vivo and in vitro
Arthritis: Effects of an aqueous extract of Eucommia on articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis of the knee
Sex hormones: Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from Eucommia ulmoides
Cholesterol: Du-zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) leaf extract mediates hypolipidemic action in hamsters fed a high-fat diet.
High blood pressure: Effect of Eucommia ulmoides on systolic blood pressure in the spontaneous hypertensive rat.
Menopause: Botanical Hormone Support, Part II

Constituents:
Aucubin • Genipin • Gutta-Percha • Pinoresinol • Alkaloids • Patassium • Diglucoside, Chlorogenic acid • Glycosides • Vitamin C

Photos (Click to enlarge)

Fun Facts

Other Names: Hardy Rubber Tree • Tuch'ung (Korean) • Tochu (Japanese) • Silk Cotton Bark
Plant Family: Eucommiaceae

The massive demand for bark and have now put this tree on an endangered list. Only trees 10 years and older may be harvested for the bark. Tastes like green tea. Du Zhong is the inner bark layer inside the outer cork tree bark.

Species
None noted

Growth

Eucommia Ulmoides is NOT in the USDA Plant Database.

USA: Eucommia Ulmoides is not available in the wild. USDA Zones: 4-8.

Native: China

Habitats: Mountains, valleys, 300m<elevation<500m

Du Zhong can grow to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It typically blooms in April. When the fruit falls, there will be tons of it, so be careful not to plant it around swimming pools or patios. They should also be planned away from foundations and septic systems because their roots grow very deep.

Category: Tonify Yang

English: Eucommia Bark Pinyin: Du Zhong Pharmaceutical: Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis

Organs: Kidney • Liver Temperature: Warm

Taste: Sweet • Pungent Toxicity: May cause reaction for those allergic to latex

Patterns: Liver deficiency • Kidney deficiency • Agitated fetus • Rising liver yang

Actions: Tonify kidneys • Tonify liver • Prevent miscarriages • Tonify bones and tendons • Promote circulation

Indications: Joint pain • Lower back pain • Knee pain • Pregnancy bleeding • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Frequent urination

Contraindications: Latex allergies • Yin deficiency heat

Typical Dosage: 6-15 g Guidelines

Parts Used: Leaves • Inner bark layer inside the outer cork tree bark (minimal 15 year old trees)

Other:

Combine With	Purpose
Shan Zhu Yu + Tu Si Zi	Kidney deficiency cold: frequent urination, impotence
Gui Zhi + Du Huo + Qin Jiao	Back pain worsen in cold environment. Sinking pulse with greasy white tongue coat
Bu Gu Zhi + Hu Tao Ren	Kidney yang deficiency: lower back pain with wheezing
Xu Duan + Tu Si Zi +Sang Ji Shen	Potential miscarriage or lower back pain
Xu Duan + Shan Yao	Persistent miscarriages
Bai Shao + Xia Ku Cao	Rising liver yang: vertigo or dizziness

Dui Yao Pairs	Purpose
Bai Shao + Xia Ku Cao	Rising liver yang: vertigo or dizziness

Formulas with Du Zhong:
Ai Tai Yin • Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan • Da Zao Wan • Dang Gui Di Huang Yin • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang • Qing E Wan • Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin • You Gui Wan • You Gui Yin • Zan Yu Dan

Alert

Be cautions with all medicine.

Allergy: latex. This herb contains natural rubber. If you are allergic to latex, you may have a reaction to this herb.

Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Hypotensive: ginseng, goji berry, cinnamon ♦ Cholesterol: goji berry ♦ Diuretic: heal all

Pharma Drugs:♦ High blood pressure: captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), Perindopril (Aceon), irbesartan (Avapro), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan), acebutolol (Sectral), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), verapamil (Calan), labetalol (Trandate) ♦ Diuretic: Acetazolamide, Aldactone, Amiloride Hydrochloride, Bumex, Diuril, Diulo, Demadex, Dyrenium, Edecrin, Enduron, Hydrodiuril, Hygroton, Lasix, Lozol, Methazolamide, Mykrox, Zaroxolyn ♦ High cholesterol drugs: Crestor, Zocor, Lipitor, Zetia, Pravastatin, Livolo, Niacin, atorvastatin, Vytorin, Altocor

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.

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