Neem vine, as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has many effects and functions. Let's take a look at the effects and functions of neem vine and its related applications.
Introduction to Neem Vine:
Neem vine, also known as "man ni ma" in Chinese, is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows upright or inclined, or lies on the ground with the top part extending upwards. It usually has stiff hairs. The main root is thick and conical in shape. The leaves are opposite, oval-shaped or elliptical-lanceolate, measuring 3.5 to 7 cm in length and 1 to 2 cm in width. The apex is blunt or gradually pointed, and the base is rounded or near-heart-shaped. The leaf margin is entire, and the base veins are three-branched. The reticulate veins on the back of the leaf are obvious and have stiff hairs. The upper surface is rough or has stiff hairs. The leaves are either sessile or have short petioles, and the stipules are broadly ovate. The flowers are small, unisexual, and borne in clusters in the leaf axils. They are yellowish-green in color. The male flowers have 3 to 5 divided lobes arranged in a clasping manner in the buds, with the lobes sharply bent inward and forming a ring with a transverse fold on the back, which is covered with stiff hairs. There are 5 stamens in the male flowers. The female flowers have a tubular calyx and a fusiform style, and the fruits are broadly ovate with a pointed apex and longitudinal ridges, black in color and smooth. The flowering period is from July to August.
Characteristics of the Medicinal Plant:
The dried whole plant of neem vine has thick and fleshy roots, which are conical in shape and have lateral roots. The surface is light reddish-brown and not easily broken. The cross-section is slightly rough and light brownish-yellow. The stem is yellowish-brown. The leaves are mostly fragmented, dark green, and rough with hairs. It has a slight aroma and a mild taste.
Properties and Channels: Neem vine has a sweet and bitter taste, and is cooling in nature. According to "Guiyang Folk Medicinal Herbs", it is sour and pungent, cold, and non-toxic. According to "Sichuan Medicinal Plants", it has a neutral nature, a mild taste, and is non-toxic. According to "Fujian Medicinal Herbs", it is slightly bitter, cold, and non-toxic.
Dosage and Administration: For internal use, neem vine can be decocted in water with a dosage of 2 to 5 qian (fresh herb) or 1 to 3 liang (fresh herb). It can also be used for stewed meat. For external use, neem vine can be pounded and applied topically.
Effects and Functions of Neem Vine: Neem vine has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, invigorating the spleen, and stopping bleeding. It is mainly used to treat sores, abscesses, scrofula, dysentery, excessive vaginal discharge in women, malnutrition in children, vomiting blood, and external bleeding.
According to "Tianbao Materia Medica", it is used to treat injuries from falls, itchy rashes, and various sores and abscesses on the back. According to "Emei Medicinal Plants", the root of neem vine can be pounded and applied to treat knife and gunshot wounds. According to "Guizhou Folk Medicinal Recipes", it can nourish deficiency and promote lactation. According to "Compilation of Folk Commonly Used Herbal Medicines", it can increase blood, invigorate the spleen and stomach, and nourish the blood. When stewed with meat and taken internally, it can treat weakened heart. According to "Sichuan Medicinal Plants", it can invigorate the spleen and tonify the kidneys. It is used to treat mastitis and malnutrition in children. According to "Guizhou Herbal Medicine", it can clear heat, invigorate the spleen, dissolve accumulations, and stop bleeding. It is used to treat carbuncles, nine sons' sores, children's food accumulation and distension, and external bleeding. According to "Yunnan Medicinal Herbs", it can promote bone healing, regenerate tissue, reduce inflammation, and stop diarrhea. It is used to treat dysentery and dysmenorrhea. According to "Fujian Medicinal Herbs", it can clear heat, cool the blood, reduce swelling, and detoxify. It is used to treat vomiting blood, damp-heat vaginal discharge, oral ulcers, and injuries with swelling and pain.
Applications of Neem Vine in Prescriptions:
1. To treat damp-heat vaginal discharge: Take 1 to 2 liang of fresh neem vine and decoct in water for oral administration (according to "Fujian Medicinal Herbs").
2. To treat distension from malnutrition in children: Take 1 liang of neem vine root, decoct in water and take orally (according to "Guizhou Herbal Medicine").
3. To treat vascular neurogenic edema: Take fresh neem vine root, pound it with salt, and apply it topically to the affected area. Change the dressing every four to six hours (according to "Compilation of Single Prescription Investigation Data").
4. To treat boils and abscesses: Take an appropriate amount of neem vine and pound it into a paste. For early-stage boils, add a small amount of salt to the paste and apply it. For matured boils, add brown sugar to the paste and apply it (according to "Guangxi Medicinal Herbs").
5. To treat chronic ulcers on the lower limbs: Take an appropriate amount of neem vine, bladderpod, and eucalyptus leaves. Pound them into a paste and apply it to the affected area (according to "Guangxi Medicinal Herbs").
6. To treat oral ulcers: Pound fresh neem vine leaves into a paste and apply it to the affected area (according to "Fujian Medicinal Herbs").
7. To treat dysentery and dysmenorrhea: Take 2 to 3 qian of neem vine, decoct in water and take orally (according to "Yunnan Medicinal Herbs").
