Eucommia Bark, Dù Zhòng, 杜仲, Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

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Health Benefits
For: Hypertension • Arthritis • Osteoporosis • Joint pain • Knee pain • Pregnancy bleeding • High cholesterol • Lower back pain

Du Zhong has both phytoestrogen and phytoandrogen to help both men and women on bone density, fertility, and sex drive.  Significantly lowers total cholesterol - particularly the plasma levels of triglyceride.

Attributes: Anti-aging • Stress reducer • Anxiety reducer • Adaptogen • Phytoestrogen
Products (online examples)

Dried Bark

Powder

Capsules

Tincture

Tea Mix

Leaf Extracts

Cream

Powder

Research:
Constituents: 
Aucubin • Genipin • Gutta-Percha • Pinoresinol • Alkaloids • Patassium • Diglucoside, Chlorogenic acid • Glycosides • Vitamin C

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Hardy Rubber Tree • Tuch'ung (Korean) • Tochu (Japanese) • Silk Cotton Bark
Plant Family: Eucommiaceae
The massive demand for bark and have now put this tree on an endangered list.  Only trees 10 years and older may be harvested for the bark.   Tastes like green tea.  Du Zhong is the inner bark layer inside the outer cork tree bark.
Species
None noted
Growth
Eucommia Ulmoides is NOT in the USDA Plant Database.  

USA: Eucommia Ulmoides is not available in the wild.    USDA Zones: 4-8

Native: China

Habitats: Mountains, valleys, 300m<elevation<500m 

Du Zhong can grow to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide.  It typically blooms in April.  When the fruit falls, there will be tons of it, so be careful not to plant it around swimming pools or patios.  They should also be planned away from foundations and septic systems because their roots grow very deep.

Category: Tonify Yang 
English: Eucommia Bark    Pinyin:  Du Zhong      Pharmaceutical: Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis  
Organs: Kidney • Liver      Temperature: Warm   
Taste: Sweet • Pungent        Toxicity: May cause reaction for those allergic to latex  
Patterns: Liver deficiency • Kidney deficiency • Agitated fetus • Rising liver yang 
Actions:  Tonify kidneys • Tonify liver • Prevent miscarriages • Tonify bones and tendons • Promote circulation
Indications: Joint pain • Lower back pain • Knee pain • Pregnancy bleeding • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Frequent urination
Contraindications: Latex allergies • Yin deficiency heat
Typical Dosage: 6-15 g          Guidelines
Parts Used: Leaves •  Inner bark layer inside the outer cork tree bark (minimal 15 year old trees) 
Other:
Combine With Purpose
Shan Zhu Yu + Tu Si Zi Kidney deficiency cold: frequent urination, impotence
Gui Zhi + Du Huo + Qin Jiao Back pain worsen in cold environment.  Sinking pulse with greasy white tongue coat
Bu Gu Zhi + Hu Tao Ren Kidney yang deficiency: lower back pain with wheezing
Xu Duan + Tu Si Zi +Sang Ji Shen Potential miscarriage or lower back pain
Xu Duan + Shan Yao Persistent miscarriages
Bai Shao + Xia Ku Cao Rising liver yang: vertigo or dizziness
Dui Yao Pairs Purpose
Bai Shao + Xia Ku Cao Rising liver yang: vertigo or dizziness
Formulas with Du Zhong:
Ai Tai Yin • Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan • Da Zao Wan • Dang Gui Di Huang Yin • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang • Qing E Wan • Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin • You Gui Wan • You Gui Yin • Zan Yu Dan

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Allergy: latex.  This herb contains natural rubber.  If you are allergic to latex, you may have a reaction to this herb.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Hypotensive: ginseng, goji berry, cinnamon ♦ Cholesterol: goji berry ♦ Diuretic: heal all

Pharma Drugs:♦ High blood pressure: captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), Perindopril (Aceon), irbesartan (Avapro), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan), acebutolol (Sectral), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), verapamil (Calan), labetalol (Trandate) ♦ Diuretic: Acetazolamide, Aldactone, Amiloride Hydrochloride, Bumex, Diuril, Diulo, Demadex, Dyrenium, Edecrin, Enduron, Hydrodiuril, Hygroton, Lasix, Lozol, Methazolamide, Mykrox, Zaroxolyn ♦ High cholesterol drugs: Crestor, Zocor, Lipitor, Zetia, Pravastatin, Livolo, Niacin, atorvastatin, Vytorin, Altocor

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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