Cuscuta chinensis. C. japonica  Tù sī zǐ  菟 丝 子  Dodder   Family: Convolvulaceae  
Japanese dodder is similar, but smaller stem diameter of 1 mm, yellow. Style head for the head, capsule spherical, containing seeds 2 to 4, and the seeds smaller.
PART USED: Fruit or whole plant
lNature: Neutral    FLAVOR: Pleasant
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Replenishing Yang
1. Strengthens the Liver and Kidney.[1] Strengthens sinews and bones.[1]
2. Builds up the Blood, moisturises Dryness.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Enuresis, seminal emission, constipation.[1]
2. Backache and cold knees, rheumatoid paralysis.[1]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction- Fruit or the whole plant 3-12 g.[1]
DESCRIPTION: Annual full parasitic herb. Stems cordy, orangeish, but with chlorophyll. Leaves degenerate into scales. Flowers clustered outside the membranous bracts; calyx cup-shaped, 5-lobed; corolla white, long curved flower 2 times, top 5 lobed, lobes often outwardly inflection; stamens 5, filaments short, alternate with corolla lobes; scales 5, nearly oblong. Ovary 2 sections, each section has ovules 2, style 2, head to head. Capsule nearly spherical, mature when surrounded by corolla; seed pale brown. Flower and fruit period 7-10 months.Found growing on the branches of shrubs located in sunny hill wilds, stream banks and roadsides.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

Nanoparticles formulation of Cuscuta chinensis prevents acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Yen FL, Wu TH, Lin LT, Cham TM, Lin CC.
Abstract
Cuscuta chinensis is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to nourish the liver and kidney. Due to the poor water solubility of its major constituents such as flavonoids and lignans, its absorption upon oral administration could be limited. The purpose of the present study was to use the nanosuspension method to prepare C. chinensis nanoparticles (CN), and to compare the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of C. chinensis ethanolic extract (CE) and CN on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. An oral dose of CE at 125 and 250 mg/kg and CN at 25 and 50mg/kg showed a significant hepatoprotective effect relatively to the same extent (P<0.05) by reducing levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. These biochemical assessments were supported by rat hepatic biopsy examinations. In addition, the antioxidant activities of CE and CN both significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced malondialdehyde (P<0.05). Moreover, the results also indicated that the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of 50 mg/kg CN was effectively better than 125 mg/kg CE (P<0.05), and an oral dose of CN that is five times as less as CE could exhibit similar levels of outcomes. In conclusion, we suggest that the nanoparticles system can be applied to overcome other water poorly soluble herbal medicines and furthermore to decrease the treatment dosage.
PMID: 18308443 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.01.021  Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 May;46(5):1771-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.01.021. Epub 2008 Jan 20. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure rats.
Shin S, Lee YJ, Kim EJ, Lee AS, Kang DG, Lee HS.
Abstract
The kidneys play a central role in regulating water, ion composition and excretion of metabolic waste products in the urine. Cuscuta chinensis has been known as an important traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of liver and kidney disorders. Thus, we studied whether an aqueous extract of Cuscuta chinensis (ACC) seeds has an effect on renal function parameters in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure (ARF) rats. Administration of 250 mg/kg/day ACC showed that renal functional parameters including urinary excretion rate, osmolality, Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), creatinine clearance, solute-free water reabsorption were significantly recovered in ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF. Periodic acid Schiff staining showed that administration of ACC improved tubular damage in ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF. In immunoblot and immunohistological examinations, ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF decreased the expressions of water channel AQP 2, 3 and sodium potassium pump Na,K-ATPase in the renal medulla. However, administration of ACC markedly incremented AQP 2, 3 and Na,K-ATPase expressions. Therefore, these data indicate that administration of ACC ameliorates regulation of the urine concentration and renal functions in rats with ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF.
PMID: 21905280 DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X11009287  Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(5):889-902. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X11009287. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Cuscuta chinensis water extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in mice.
Nisa M, Akbar S, Tariq M, Hussain Z.
Abstract
Cuscuta chinensis, known as Aftimun, is reputed to have antitumour activity in the Unani system of medicine in India. The effect of a hot water extract of C. chinensis on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in Swiss albino mice was studied. Oral administration of the extract (1 g/kg body wt) thrice a week in 22 mice, started on the tenth day after the first application of DMBA to the 252nd day, markedly delayed the appearance and retarded the growth of papillomas and the incidence of carcinoma, relative to a control group with 28 mice, in a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. Its prophylactic effect was found to be statistically significant.
PMID: 3102856  J Ethnopharmacol. 1986 Oct;18(1):21-31. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov