Which is Better: Pueraria lobata or Pueraria thomsonii?
In terms of puerarin content, Chai Gegen excels over Fen Gegen, yet both have their unique medicinal properties. Gegen, a commonly seen medicinal herb in daily life, possesses the functions of relieving muscle soreness and fever, promoting the eruption of measles, stimulating saliva secretion to quench thirst, and is effective in treating symptoms such as stiffness and pain in the neck and back, non-eruptive measles, thirst due to febrile diseases, and yin deficiency-induced diabetes mellitus. According to the 2000 edition of the Pharmacopoeia, Chai Gegen must contain no less than 2.4% puerarin, while Fen Gegen must contain no less than 0.30% puerarin. Evidently, Chai Gegen surpasses Fen Gegen in puerarin content, leading to its classification as an authentic medicinal material.
Gegen can dilate blood vessels, resist myocardial ischemia, increase blood flow in coronary or cerebral arteries, and improve microcirculation. It is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as many other illnesses. This effect can be summarized as "activating blood and resolving stasis." When treating such conditions, Chai Gegen is preferred, and it is also commonly used for blood stasis syndromes such as arthralgia and trauma. In summary, Chai Gegen and Fen Gegen have their unique medicinal applications and should be used differently according to specific conditions.
The efficacies and indications of Fen Gegen are as follows: 1) Stimulating saliva secretion: Used for diabetes mellitus, thirst due to febrile diseases, and drunkenness; 2) Relieving muscle soreness: Used for stiffness and pain in the neck and back caused by external wind-cold invasion; 3) Lifting yang and arresting diarrhea: Used for diarrhea due to external invasion and chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. In contrast, Chai Gegen possesses the function of activating blood and resolving stasis, making it suitable for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, as well as arthralgia, trauma, and other conditions related to blood stasis.
Differences between Chai Gegen and Fen Gegen: 1. Origin: Chai Gegen is the dried root of the leguminous plant Pueraria lobata, mainly produced in Hunan, Henan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and other regions. Fen Gegen, on the other hand, is the dried root of the leguminous plant Pueraria thomsonii, primarily grown in Guangxi and Guangdong. 2. Taste: Chai Gegen has a stronger fibrous texture and a slightly sweet taste, with a harder texture. In contrast, Fen Gegen has a powdery texture, a sweeter taste, and a generally better mouthfeel. 3. Efficacies: Both Chai Gegen and Fen Gegen have the functions of clearing heat, relieving muscle soreness, quenching thirst, and stimulating saliva secretion. However, there are slight differences in their focuses. Chai Gegen is more focused on clearing heat, relieving muscle soreness, promoting the eruption of measles, and arresting diarrhea, while Fen Gegen is primarily used for stimulating saliva secretion, quenching thirst, dispelling the effects of alcohol, and detoxifying. 4. Slice Appearance: The cross-sections of Chai Gegen appear yellowish-white with indistinct texture, while the cross-sections of Fen Gegen appear yellowish-white or light brown with shallow brown concentric circular patterns. 5. Usage: Chai Gegen is primarily used medicinally, often combined with other drugs. In contrast, Fen Gegen is both medicinal and edible, making it suitable for both medicinal and culinary uses.
