li 櫔,   qi ye shu 七葉樹

Translated and edited by: Joe Hing kwok Chu

A manuscript... writing and translation in progress

Pharmaceutical name: 英文藥名﹕	Fructus aesculi hippocastani Folium aesculi hippocastani
Botanical name: 學名﹕	aesculus hippocastanum
Pron. in Japanese: 日語發音﹕	tochi（栃）
Pron. in Korean: 韓語發音﹕
Pron. in Cantonese: 粵音﹕
Other Names: 別名﹕	suo luo shu 娑羅樹,
Common Name: 英文名﹕	horse chestnut
Distribution: 產地﹕	It is distributed in the northern hemisphere: North America, Europe, East Asia to India. 分佈於北半球溫帶地區的北美、歐洲、東亞以至印度；我國有1屬，數種。
Properties (characteristics)﹕ 性味﹕
Channels (meridians) entered:   歸經﹕
Medical functions: 藥理﹕	1. Aescin promotes the release of adrenocortical hormone, thus possesses the effects of anti-inflammation, 2. Aescin promotes the release of PGF2a,  thus possesses anti-oozing effect, because PGF2a can decrease the penetrating effect of the blood vessels. thus prevent the formation of edema. 3. Aescin possesses the effect of causing the veins selectively release PGF2a, thus improving the tension of veins thus promoting the return flow of lymphatic fluid and improving capillary circulation and can remove the substances that cause inflammation and edema. 4. Aescin can effectively remove free radicals, lessen the damages caused by the free radicals on cells of blood vessels and thus promoting the anti-oozing effect. 1． 七葉皂甙 可促進皮質醇類化合物的分泌，而起抗炎作用。 2． 七葉皂甙 可增加PGF2a 的分泌，而起抗滲出作用；被稱為抗滲出因子的PGF2a可降低血管通透性，具有強烈的膜穩定作用；對抗舒血管物質緩激肽；抑PGE1的分泌量；使擴皮質素合成與釋放，從而最大限度控制滲出。 3． 七葉皂甙 可促使靜脈組織選擇性釋放PGF2a，而起增加靜脈張力作用，並具有促進淋巴回流作用，對淋巴間障礙性疾病療效顯著，aescin改善循環內血流淤滯狀態，加快微循環，帶走炎性介質。 4． 七葉皂甙 可有效消除自由基，減輕自由基對血管內皮細胞和其它組織的損害，而起到抗滲出的作用。
Actions & Indications: 主治﹕	Leaves: external application for ulcers, bruises Fruit extract : impact injuries, sprain, bruises, cold sores, local swelling, varicose vein, rheumatism , neuralgia,  and for haemorrhoids. Aescin is being used in brain edema, open injuries, swelling after operations, venous return flow diseases. There are reports that the herb is being used in stomach pain due to coldness, flatulence, pain and fullness due to parasites, malaria and dysentery.   葉: 外用於破傷﹐瘀傷。 種子: 萃取物可以治療打傷,撞傷,挫傷,拉傷,扭傷,瘀傷,凍瘡,局部浮腫, 痔瘡,和靜脈曲張。 七葉皂甙 用於腦水腫，創傷或手術後引起的腫脹；與靜脈回流障礙性疾病。 有報導說： 用于治療胃寒作痛，脘腹脹滿，疳積虫痛，瘧疾，痢疾。
Chemical ingredients: 化學成份﹕	aescin 七葉皂甙
Dosage: 用量﹕	Aescin dosage: 10 mg - 30 mg per day. Dry fruit internal use:  0.1 g to 1 g.   七葉皂甙用量： 每天 10 mg-30 mg 乾果用量：0.1克～1克。
Samples of formulae :處方舉例﹕
Modern Research: 現代研究﹕	Removing free radicals 消除自由基
Toxicity & Cautions: 毒素與禁忌﹕	Do not apply to broken skin to avoid irritation. Not to use for patients with liver or kidney diseases[1] or during pregnancies. Stomach irritation [2], nausea, vomiting and dizziness have been reported. caution is advised in children and people with diabetes. 避免涂在傷口上以免刺激傷口。有腎臟病或肝臟病者或懷孕期間忌用。有報導說服用後導致胃部刺激，作嘔，嘔吐，頭暈。 小孩或有糖尿病者小心應用。

[1]

Hellberg K, Ruschewski W, de Vivie R. Medikamentoes bedingtes post-operatives Nierenversagen nach herzchirurgischen Eingriffen. Thoraxchirurgie 1975;23:396-9. Wilhelm K, Feldmeier C. Postoperative und posttraumatische Oedemprophylaxe und -therapie. Laborchemische Untersuchungen ueber die Nierenvertraeglichkeit von beta-Aescin. Med Klin 1975;70:2079-83.  

[2]　Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 148-9.