Although the wild herb called Wuxiangcao may not look very impressive in rural areas, it actually has great medicinal value. Wuxiangcao is used in traditional Chinese medicine for various purposes.
Medicinal Uses of Wuxiangcao
1. Treatment of abdominal pain: Take 15g of Wuxiangcao, 9g of Huoxiang, and 9g of Jingjie. Decoct and take orally. (From "Hangzhou Medicinal Plants Annals")
2. Treatment of ulcer disease: Take 9g of Wuxiangcao, 9g of Hongmuxiang, 30g of Pugongying, and 6g of Xuchangqing. Decoct and take orally.
3. Treatment of tonsillitis: Take 45g of Wuxiangcao and add an appropriate amount of honey. Decoct and take orally.
4. Treatment of boils: Take 9g of Wuxiangcao, 9g of Wild Chrysanthemum, 30g of Zihuading, and 30g of Pugongying. Decoct and take orally.
5. Treatment of centipede bites: Crush Wuxiangcao and apply externally. (Recipes 2-5 are from "Folk Medicinal Plants of Zhejiang")
Can Wuxiangcao Be Consumed Regularly?
Wuxiangcao has certain pharmacological effects. Although its toxicity is relatively low, if the excretion ability of organs such as the kidneys and liver is poor, there may be potential side effects. Symptoms such as generalized convulsions and arching of the body may occur. To avoid these phenomena, it is necessary to adjust the duration of consuming Wuxiangcao according to one's own condition. In most cases, long-term consumption is not recommended.
Description of Wuxiangcao
The stem is slender and quadrangular, with many branches, measuring 20-42cm in length. The surface is grayish-green to purple and covered with downward soft hairs, with a brittle texture.
The leaves are opposite, curled and wrinkled, and become lanceolate or oblanceolate when flattened. They measure 1.5-3cm in length and 2-5mm in width, with short soft hairs and glandular dots on both sides.
The flowers are tightly curled, with small bracts measuring only 1.5-2.5mm in length. The corolla is pale purple. The small nutlets are spherical, with a blackish-brown surface and fine reticulate pattern. It has a strong and fragrant aroma, with a spicy and cooling taste.
