Da Wei Yao is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for clearing heat and detoxifying. It is an annual herbaceous plant that is harvested in autumn and can be used fresh or dried. It has the properties of clearing heat, detoxifying, and diuretic effects.
【Morphological characteristics of Da Wei Yao】
Da Wei Yao is also known as Gou Wei Cao and Quan Chong Cao. It is an annual herbaceous plant that grows 15-60cm tall. The root is cylindrical and turns yellow-brown when dried. The stem is erect, stout, and branching, with rough spreading hairs.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate or nearly opposite, wrinkled, and about 5-10cm long, ovate or triangular-ovate in shape.
Flowers: The calyx is green, the corolla is pale blue-purple or white, and there are 5 stamens. The inflorescence is terminal and arranged in a unidirectional spike-like inflorescence. The small flowers are densely packed on the upper side of the flower axis, gradually opening from the bottom to the top. The flowering period is from May to September.
The inflorescence is arranged in a double-forked scorpion tail shape, with the entire inflorescence reaching 15 cm long. The tip curls like a caterpillar, which is why it is also called "Ear Hook Grass".
Fruit: The fruit is a capsule formed by the fusion of two small nutlets.
Uses: Edible, medicinal, and nectar source plant.
【Medicinal value of Da Wei Yao】
Functions: Clear heat, diuretic, reduce swelling, detoxify. It is used to treat pneumonia, empyema, sore throat, cough, bladder stones, convulsions in children, mouth ulcers, and abscesses.
Prescription:
1. For treating scrofula and abdominal pain: Use 1-2 taels of fresh Da Wei Yao whole herb. Decoct and take orally.
2. For treating testicular swelling and pain: Use 2 taels of fresh Da Wei Yao root. Decoct and take orally.
3. For treating convulsions in children: Use 4 qian of dried Da Wei Yao root, 3 qian of dried Huang Dan Cao, and a little salt. Stew with water and take orally.
4. For treating oral ulcers: Mash fresh Da Wei Yao leaves into juice and use it for rinsing the mouth, 4 to 6 times a day.
5. For treating abscesses: Use 2 taels of fresh Da Wei Yao root, a little salt, decoct and take orally; also use fresh leaves to mash with cold rice and apply as a poultice. (Prescriptions from "Fujian Traditional Chinese Herbs")
