ACANTHOPANAX SPINOSUM.—五加 (Wu-chia), 五加皮 (Wu-chia-p’i), 1449. This is probably the proper identification of the shrub or tree which produces this drug. But, without doubt, the product found upon the market comes from a number of Araliaceous plants, allied to angelica, spikenard, and sarsaparilla. So we find it classed by Tatarinov as Aralia palmata, and by Henry identified as Eleutherococcus Henryi and Eleutherococcus leucorrhizus; and, in addition to these latter the Customs Reports mention Eleutherococcus senticosus. Indeed, in the Chinese books it is described by some as a tree or shrub, and by others as a climbing plant. One observer wisely says that the plant which grows in the north in sandy soil is a tree, while that which grows in the south in hard soil is an herbaceous plant! The Pêntsao, following the Pêntsaoching of Shennung, classes it among the trees.
The part used is the cortex of the root. It is found on the markets as yellowish-brown quilled pieces, odorless and tasteless. It is specially recommended in rheumatism, general debility, and for the cure of tertiary syphilitic manifestations. It is usually prescribed as a tincture.