Xu Changqing is a highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine, and both its whole plant and roots can be used as medicine. It has the effects of diuresis, reducing swelling, promoting blood circulation, detoxification, relieving pain, and suppressing cough. It has strong adaptability to the environment, so it is cultivated throughout the country. Let's first understand the medicinal value of Xu Changqing.
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【Morphological characteristics of Xu Changqing】
The rhizome of Xu Changqing is irregularly cylindrical, with nodes, measuring 0.5-3.5cm in length and 2-4mm in diameter. Some tops have residual stems, slender cylindrical, about 2cm in length and 1-2mm in diameter, with a hollow cross-section;
At the nodes of the rhizome, there are numerous roots growing around, which are slender and cylindrical, curved, measuring 10-16cm in length and 1-1.5mm in diameter.
The surface is pale yellow-white to pale brown-yellow or brown, with fine longitudinal wrinkles and thin rootlets.
It is brittle, easily broken, with a powdery texture. The cortex is white or yellow-white, and the xylem is small. It has a fragrant aroma and a slightly cool taste.
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【Clinical applications of Xu Changqing】
1. Used for rheumatic pain. Xu Changqing is good at dispelling wind and promoting blood circulation, and has the function of relieving pain. It is used for rheumatoid arthritis, and can be used together with Polygonum cuspidatum, etc.
2. Used for epigastric pain, toothache, and traumatic pain. Xu Changqing has a good analgesic effect and is often used in various types of pain. It can achieve significant analgesic effects and is suitable for epigastric pain, toothache, and traumatic pain. It can be used alone or in combination with other related drugs.
3. Used for eczema, rubella itch, and stubborn tinea. Xu Changqing is also good at dispelling wind and relieving itching, and is effective in treating skin itching caused by eczema, rubella, stubborn tinea, etc. It can be decocted for oral administration, decocted for external washing, or used in combination with other drugs such as bitter sophora root, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, and white fresh bark.
4. Used for snakebite. Xu Changqing can detoxify and reduce swelling. It can be used in combination with Semiaquilegia adoxoides, wild chrysanthemum, etc. In addition, ancient medical practitioners believed that Xu Changqing has a diuretic effect. It is also commonly used in modern times for symptoms such as mountain sickness, motion sickness, and seasickness.
Xu Changqing image
【Pharmacological effects of Xu Changqing】
1. Analgesic effect
Pharmacological studies have shown that Xu Changqing contains peonol and other analgesic components, which can increase the pain threshold of the body, thereby providing a certain degree of relief for pain caused by various diseases.
2. Antibacterial effect
Studies have shown that Xu Changqing has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and other bacteria, so it has a therapeutic effect on bacterial diseases such as dysentery.
3. Hypotensive effect
Also due to the presence of peonol in Xu Changqing, research has shown that it has a certain hypotensive effect. It can help dilate blood vessels, increase coronary blood flow, soften blood vessels, reduce peripheral resistance, and lower blood pressure.
