Dajiugu Niu is the root and rhizome of the plant Gastrodia elata, which belongs to the family Orchidaceae. It is mainly distributed in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and has the effects of clearing heat and toxins, stopping cough and relieving pain. It is commonly used for lung heat cough, mastitis, parotitis, furuncles, and injuries from falls and blows.
【Identification of Dajiugu Niu】
Dajiugu Niu is a perennial subshrub, about 1m tall. The rhizome is thick and cylindrical, with purple-brown color and stripes. The upper part is sparsely covered with fine hairs, while the lower part is hairless.
The flower disk is purple-red; the infertile ovary is conical, about 1mm long; the female inflorescence is cymose, terminal or axillary, hanging down when fruiting; there are 2 leaf-like bracts, white, covered with soft hairs, with ciliate margins; no sepals, petals, or stamens.
The fruit is supported by enlarged bracts, with a diameter of 3-4mm, covered with fine hairs and veins, attached to the lower part of the bracts. The bracts expand when fruiting, broad elliptical or nearly circular, with a diameter of 2-2.5cm, and a reticulate vein pattern. There is one seed. It flowers in autumn.
Dajiugu Niu is cylindrical, 3.7-7.5cm long, gray-white or light brown on the surface, opaque. If the outer skin is not removed, there are visible 3-4 rings and longitudinal stripes, and one layer of skin can be peeled off, resembling fibers. There are obvious cut marks. There is a concave or protruding stem scar at the top. It is solid and not easily broken, and the section is uneven, resembling a wooden texture. It has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste.
【Effects of Dajiugu Niu】
In traditional Chinese medicine, Dajiugu Niu is believed to have the effects of clearing heat and toxins, stopping cough, and relieving pain. It is commonly used for lung heat cough, mastitis, parotitis, furuncles, and injuries from falls and blows.
"National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Clears heat and toxins, relieves pain, stops coughing. It is used for lung heat cough, parotitis, mastitis, furuncles, and swelling."
Treatment for lung heat cough: 5g of Dajiugu Niu root (peeled), 2g of Xianglingcao, 2g of Wacao. Grind into powder, take 2g each time, twice a day.
Treatment for mastitis, parotitis, furuncles and boils: Equal amounts of Dajiugu Niu, Chonglou, Baiji, Xiaozhanyao, Wu Xiang Xueteng. Grind into powder and mix with honey or vinegar for external application.
Treatment for furuncles: Equal amounts of Dajiugu Niu, Chonglou, Baiji, Xiaozhanyao, Wu Xiang Xueteng. Grind into powder and mix with honey or vinegar for external application.
【Methods of using Dajiugu Niu】
1. Dajiugu Niu powder
Equal amounts of Dajiugu Niu, Chonglou, Baiji, Xiaozhanyao, Wu Xueteng.
Method: Grind the above ingredients into powder and mix with honey or vinegar for external application.
2. Dajiugu Niu wine
15g of Dajiugu Niu (dried), 500g of white wine.
Method: Wash the Dajiugu Niu, put it in a wide-mouthed bottle, pour in the white wine, cover tightly, and soak for 1 month.
