Barbed Skullcap, a traditional Chinese medicine, is the root and stem bark of the plant Pseudolarix amabilis, which belongs to the family Berberidaceae. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces. It has the effects of clearing heat, reducing inflammation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat hepatitis, oral ulcers, dysuria, and burns.
[Dosage and Administration]
Oral administration: Decoction with 3-5 qian of Barbed Skullcap. External application: Grind into powder and apply topically.
[Effects and Functions of Barbed Skullcap]
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Barbed Skullcap has the effects of clearing heat, reducing inflammation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat hepatitis, oral ulcers, dysuria, and burns.
[The Morphology of Barbed Skullcap]
Pseudolarix amabilis is an evergreen shrub, 0.5-1.5 meters tall, with upright gray-yellow stems and ribs. The barbs are divided into three forks, 1-2.5 centimeters long.
The leaves are clustered, thick and leathery, oblong-lanceolate, 3.5-8 centimeters long and 1-2.5 centimeters wide, with prickly serrations on the edges and distinct midveins.
The flowers are yellow, 5-15 clustered in the axils of the spines; there are 6 sepals, with 2-3 small bracts underneath; 6 petals; 6 stamens with split anthers; the ovary is superior, 1-celled with multiple ovules.
The fruit of Pseudolarix amabilis is oblong-ovate, red, covered with white powder, and contains 2 seeds.
