Hedgehog Spines is a traditional Chinese medicine with good therapeutic effects on diseases. What are the medicinal uses of hedgehog spines? Let's take a look together with the author!
[Common Name] Hedgehog Spines
[Animal Morphology] Hedgehog ("Dietary Therapy Materia Medica"), also known as: Haozhi ("Classic of Mountains and Seas"), Huanzhu, Luanzhu ("Classic of Mountains and Seas" by Guo Pu), Haozhu ("Tang Materia Medica"), Shanzhu ("General Records"); Bishui Yu, Hanyu ("Classified Outline"), Jianzhu ("Dietary Recipes by Suixiju"), Cizhu, Xianglingzhu.
It has a body length of 60-70 centimeters, a tail length of about 8 centimeters, and weighs 9-11 kilograms. It has a stout body and is brownish in color.
The back of the body is densely covered with brown long spines. The spines on the back of the body are particularly thick and long, reaching over 20 centimeters in length and about 6 millimeters in diameter. They are spindle-shaped, hollow, milky white, with a light brown area in the middle third, and many thin and long lines on the spines.
There is a white longitudinal stripe from the forehead to the middle line of the neck, formed by the white tips of long spines. There are some pointed white spines from the shoulders to the lower jaw, forming a semi-circular "white collar".
The spines on the limbs and ventral surface are short and brownish, slightly soft. The long spines are more concentrated in the hindquarters, the tail is very short, and it is almost hidden in the spines. The entire body under the hard spines is covered with sparse long white fur.
It inhabits hillsides, grasslands or dense forests, digs burrows, and moves in small groups. It is nocturnal and often follows a certain route.
When encountering enemies, it raises its spines and retreats with its back to defend itself. It is distributed in Shaanxi, the Yangtze River basin, and southern regions.
[Main Functions and Indications of Hedgehog Spines]
It relieves chest pain. "Promotes qi circulation and relieves pain; detoxifies and reduces swelling. Used for chest and stomach pain; mastitis; ulcers and swelling; skin allergies.
[Usage and Dosage of Hedgehog Spines]
Oral administration: grind into powder, 6-10 grams. External use: appropriate amount, sprinkle or blow on the throat after burning into charcoal powder.
