radix rehmanniae

Radix rehmanniae is the dried root of *Rehmannia glutinosa*, a perennial herb native to China and widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Japanese Kampo medicine. It is most commonly employed as a tonic for "yin deficiency" and is believed in TCM to nourish the blood and kidney. The root contains various bioactive compounds including iridoid glycosides (notably catalpol), phenylethanoid glycosides (such as acteoside/verbascoside), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin-3β-D-glucoside), triterpenes and polysaccharides[6][7]. Pharmacological studies suggest that radix rehmanniae may modulate immune function and inflammation; it has demonstrated antioxidant properties and potential neuroprotective effects in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease by regulating insulin receptor signaling pathways such as INSR/IRS-1/AKT/GSK-3β[5][6]. Other research indicates possible benefits for glucose metabolism via activation of PI-3K/AKT signaling pathways[6]. In clinical practice it is used for conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia (“tired blood”), diabetes mellitus type 2 or insulin resistance states,[1][2] osteoporosis,[2] allergies,[4] ovarian hypofunction diseases,[7] wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers,[3] cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases,[7] cognitive dysfunction related to low estrogen levels or neurodegeneration.[5][7] Despite its long history of use in traditional medicine systems for a wide range of indications—including fever reduction; relief from pain/swelling; support during infections with bleeding symptoms; gynecological disorders—robust clinical evidence supporting these uses remains limited.

Brand names

Shu Di HuangChinese Foxglove

Other names

RehmanniaRehmannia glutinosaChinese foxgloveDi HuangDihuangRehmanniae RadixShu Di HuangChinese RRJapanese RRJioJuku-JioKan-JioR. GlutinosaRacine de RehmanniaRehmanniae RootRRRhemannia Root