Dù Zhòng for Herniated Disk Pain

Dù Zhòng (杜仲), also known as Eucommia Bark from the Chinese Rubber Tree, is one of the most significant herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is one of the best natural remedies for herniated disk pain.

Currently, this tree grows only in China, though historically it may have been more broadly distributed.  The best news is that removing the medicinal bark from the tree does not kill the tree.  The bark's pharmacological properties come mostly from the white, rubbery liquid contained in the inner bark.

Dù Zhòng has been used as a kidney-tonifying herbal medicine and has a long history of safe use for treatment of bone fractures and joint diseases in TCM. It is considered the primary herb to increase yang functions in the body, and it can heal weakened and injured tissue, lower back and leg pain, and help relieve stiffness and pain from arthritis.  It has also been indicated for impotence and spermatorrhea as it helps to maintains healthy sexual function.  Recent studies have shown promise for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis(1) and hyperlipidemia (2).

Dù Zhòng contains Caffeic Acid, which is an anti-inflammatory, immunomodulary, and antioxidant compound that helps to ameliorate oxidative stress in human endothelial cells and protecting these cells from apoptosis induced by oxidized LDL(3).  It has demonstrated an inhibitory effect on cancer cell proliferation (by oxidative mechanism in human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line) (4).  Caffeic acid also outperformed other antioxidants in a USDA study, acting as a potent natural fungicide and reducing aflatoxin production by over 95%(5).

Dù Zhòng also contains Aucubin and Aucubigenin.  These two compounds act to protect the liver from chemical damage and promote collagen synthesis.  Aucubin has demonstrated hepatoprotective, antitoxicanti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiaging, antiosteoporosis and neurotrophic pharmacological activities (6).

This promotion of collagen synthesis and bone growth combined with the prevention of oxidative cell damage and dilation of blood vessels are what make Dù Zhòng an important part of healing a herniated disk.  Dù Zhòng nourishes the Liver to benefit the tendons and sinews, and tonifies the Kidney to strengthen the bones.
Here is a list of PlumDragon products that contain the highest concentrations of Dù Zhòng (from highest to lowest):

Dù Zhòng
Bak Mei Southern Dit Da Jow
Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Dit Da Jow
PlumDragon Dit Da Wan (Upper Body Injury Formula)
Comprehensive Iron Palm Tonic
Sai Sou Fong Iron Palm Soak
White Dragon Iron Palm Dit Da Jow
Spring Wine

Please feel free to contact PlumDragonHerbs directly for more information or with any related questions.

***Please note that Du Zhong contains latex and may pose a risk of allergic reaction in those with latex allergies.  For more info on this, see this AcupunctureToday article.***
 
1. Du-Zhong cortex extract prevent OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats.
2. Effects of du-zhong leaf extract on serum and hepatic lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet.
3. Amelioration of Oxidative Stress in Human Endothelial Cells by Caffeic Acid...
Handbook of Antioxidants, 292-93.
4.Rajendra Prasad, N; Karthikeyan, A; Karthikeyan, S; Reddy, BV (Mar 2011). "Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid on cancer cell proliferation by oxidative mechanism in human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line". Mol Cell Biochem 349 (1-2): 11–9.doi:10.1007/s11010-010-0655-7
5."Nuts’New Aflatoxin Fighter: Caffeic Acid?"
6. Research Advanced in Pharmacology of Aucubin and Aucubigenin