About Achyranthes bidentata Blume
Taxonomic Classification
Achyranthes bidentata Blume is a species of flowering plant belonging to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its English common name is ox knee, and its Chinese name is 牛膝 (niu xi).
Geographic Distribution
This plant is found in India, Nepal, Korea, China, and Japan.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Source
It is the source of the Chinese herbal medicine Huai'niuxi (Chinese: 怀牛膝; pinyin: Huái'niúxī).
Nepalese Medicinal Use
In Nepal, juice extracted from its root is used to treat toothache.
Famine Use
Its seeds have been used as a substitute for cereal grains during years of famine.
Indian Medicinal Uses
In Mizoram, India, the plant is used externally to treat leech bites, and a decoction made from it is used as a diuretic.
Liang Dynasty Abortion Use
During China's Liang Dynasty, Achyranthes bidentata was used for its ability to induce abortion. Chinese folk doctors would collect juice from crushed Achyranthes bidentata and insert it into the vagina to trigger abortion.
Republican Period Abortion Prevalence
This abortion method was common among folk medicine practitioners in southern China during the Republican period.
Modern Medicinal Uses
Today, Achyranthes bidentata is used for other purposes, including the treatment of osteoporosis and arthritis, and is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
