Chinese medicinal herb, Tu Yizhihao, is a plant that promotes blood circulation and reduces swelling. It is also known as "knife wound medicine". Although the entire plant is poisonous, it has high medicinal value and can be used to treat various diseases.
[Effects and Indications]
Tu Yizhihao has the effects of promoting blood circulation, dispelling wind, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is used to treat injuries, rheumatism, stomach pain, toothache, dysmenorrhea, acute mastitis, and painful abscesses.
[Identification]
The dried whole plant is often broken, with short roots and densely covered with fibrous roots. The entire plant is covered with gray-white hairs. The upper part of the stem is slightly branched, and the surface is brownish-yellow with fine longitudinal wrinkles.
The cross-section is hollow with a white inner surface. The leaves are slightly curled, grayish-green or brownish-yellow, with small leaflets that resemble centipede legs. The flowers are semi-spherical and withered yellow-brown.
It has a weak odor and a slightly bitter taste. It is best to use dried, intact, rootless, and impurity-free plants. It mostly grows in high mountain grasslands and shady slopes, but can also be cultivated.
[Chemical Composition]
The whole plant contains volatile oil, tannins, and organic acids.
[Collection and Processing]
Tu Yizhihao is harvested in summer and autumn. After harvesting, it can be used fresh or cut into sections and dried.
[Clinical Application]
It is used to treat various inflammations such as acute mastitis and acute peritonsillar abscess. The whole plant is ground into powder, with a dosage of 1 gram, and taken with boiling water. It has been effective in more than 80 cases.
[Side Effects]
Animal experiments have shown that this herb has low toxicity and is relatively safe for clinical use. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
