Chinese herbal medicine Nong Jian Chou, also known as Huang Hua Mu, Huang Hua Wu, and Huang Hua Cao, is the leaf or root of the plant Althea sinensis, a member of the Malvaceae family. It is mainly distributed in Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other regions.
【Morphological Characteristics】
Nong Jian Chou is a small shrub, erect or spreading, with very short stellate hairs on the stem. The leaves are ovate, nearly round, or inversely ovate, measuring 2-5 centimeters in length and 1-2 centimeters in width. The apex is blunt or gradually pointed, the base is wedge-shaped, the upper surface is sparsely covered with stellate hairs, the lower surface is grayish-white and densely covered with short stellate hairs, and the margin is shallowly serrated.
【Functions and Indications】
Nong Jian Chou has a cooling nature and the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is mainly used to treat boils, carbuncles, and bee or crab injuries. It can help eliminate excess heat from the body and is suitable for discomfort caused by heat toxin.
Moreover, this herb can be taken orally or used externally without any toxicity. It is a good choice for clearing heat, promoting diuresis, relieving swelling, and detoxifying.
【Usage and Dosage】
Oral administration: Decoction, 30-60 grams. External application: Appropriate amount, mashed and applied. Pregnant women should use with caution. Chinese herbal medicine granules are generally used in combination with other herbs.
Prescription using Nong Jian Chou: For the treatment of boils and abscesses: Take an appropriate amount of Nong Jian Chou, add a little brown sugar, mash it into a paste and apply it to the affected area. For the treatment of bee or insect stings and swelling: Take an appropriate amount of Nong Jian Chou, mash it into a paste, and apply it to the injured area.
