338 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



under the term of ^ ^ ^ (Lo-han-kuo), 749. But there has 

 been no description of the plant, or of its medicinal properties 

 and uses, found in the Chinese books. 



PODOPHYLLUM VERSIPELLB.— ^ M M (Tu-chio- 

 lien). According to Ford and Crow, this is the identification at 

 Canton. This Chinese name, however, is used for different 

 plants in different parts of China. For description and medicin- 

 al action and uses, see the article on Diphylleia. 



POGONIA OPHIOGLOSSOIDES.— :^ li (Chu-lan). 

 This is not distinguished from CJiIorantliiis and other orchida- 

 ceous plants. 



POLLIA JAPONIC A.— ;y: ^ (Tu-jo). Another term 

 given for this is ;^ ^j (Tu-heng), but this properly is Asariim 

 forbesii (which see). It is also much confounded with Aipinia 

 offLcinariim^ and the descriptions of the plant given in the 

 Pentsao are almost inextricably confused with Alpinia and 

 other zingiberaceous plants. The root is the part used in 

 medicine, and is considered to be carminative, sedative, stim- 

 ulant, and tonic. Taken for some time, it benefits the animal 

 spirits, brightens the eye, and strengthens the memory. It is 

 administered as a warming remedy in colds and fluxes, in 

 dizziness, and as an aromatic in foul breath. 



POLYGALA REINIL— G ^| 5c (Pa-chi-t'ien), 926. 

 This is a polygalaceous zvintergreen^ and is therefore also 

 called ;^ (^ ^ (Pu-tiao-ts'ao), and was by Loureiro called 

 Septas repens^ and by Bentham Herpestis moimiera. The 

 description in the Pentsao is not clear. The root is used in 

 medicine, and is considered to be warming and tonic. It 

 strengthens the bones and sinews, quiets the five viscera, is 

 tonic to the centers, increases the will power, and benefits the 

 breath. It is specially beneficial to males, preventing seminal 

 losses and nocturnal pollutions. 



POLYGALA SIBIRICA, Poly gala tennifolia.—'^ * 

 (Yiian-cliih), 1557. A classical name is ^ ^ (\''ao-jao), and 

 a .common name is i\\ ^ (Hsiao-ts'ao). There are two kinds, 



