Nantong, also known as Shunan Vine, Fengteng, and Triangle Maple, is recorded in the "Kaibao Materia Medica". It is the stem, leaves, or whole plant of Piper wallichii (Miq.) Hand.Mazz., a plant in the Piperaceae family. The stems and branches with leaves are harvested from August to October, dried in the sun, and bundled.
[Processing method] "The Essential Collection of Materia Medica": "Grind and crush." Currently, the original medicinal material is taken, impurities are removed, washed, moistened, cut into small pieces, and dried.
[Appearance of prepared slices] It is irregular small pieces, a mixture of stems and leaves. The stems are flat and round, with a diameter of 1-3mm. The surface is grayish-brown or gray-brown, with longitudinal stripes, and the nodes are swollen and produce adventitious roots. It is light and brittle. The leaves are grayish-green and wrinkled. It has a clear fragrance and a pungent taste.
[Processing function] Nantong has a pungent and sweet taste, and it is warm in nature. It belongs to the liver and kidney meridians. It has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, strengthening the waist and knees, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening yang, relieving cough and asthma, and promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. This herb is mostly used raw and is used for wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, soreness of the waist and knees, impotence, cough and asthma, dysmenorrhea, and bruises and swelling. Processing makes the medicinal material clean, convenient for dispensing, and facilitates the dissolution of ingredients.
