Rehmannia glutinosa is a flowering broomrape, and one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name shēng dì huáng (). It is often sold as gān dì huáng (), gān meaning "dried". Unlike the majority of broomrapes, R. glutinosa is not parasitic, and is capable of independent photosynthesis.
Chemical constituents A number of chemical constituents including iridoids, phenethyl alcohol, glycosides, cyclopentanoid monoterpenes, and norcarotenoids, have been reported from the fresh or processed roots of R. glutinosa.
Etymology Rehmannia is named for Joseph Rehmann (1788–1831), a physician in St. Petersburg.Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 180, 328Joseph Rehmann. Sammlung auserlesener Abhandlungen und merkwürdiger Nachrichten Russischer Ärzte und Naturforscher. St. Petersburg 1812, p. 271-276: Ballota lanata. Ein neues Mittel gegen die Wassersucht. S. 271-276 (Digitalisat) Glutinosa means 'glutinous', 'sticky', or 'viscous'.
See also Chinese herbology – 50 fundamental herbs
References