Tianpengcao, also known as Songluo or Yunwucao, is a biennial herbaceous plant in the Caryophyllaceae family. It is derived from the lichen body of Usnea longissima Ach. in the Usnea genus.
【Effects and Functions of Tianpengcao】
Tianpengcao has the functions of stopping bleeding, promoting tissue regeneration, clearing the liver and improving eyesight, and resolving phlegm and relieving cough. It is an important herb for treating eye diseases caused by foggy vision. It is mainly used for red, swollen, and painful eyes, dizziness and vertigo, cough with excessive sputum, external bleeding, ulcerated sores that do not heal for a long time, excessive uterine bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge in women, and premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea in men.
【Applications of Tianpengcao】
1. It is used for excessive uterine bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge in women, and premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea in men. It has astringent properties. It can be used in combination with Zhushaqi, Jinsidai, Qiaomaiqi, etc.
2. It is used for external bleeding and ulcerated sores that do not heal for a long time. It can be ground into powder and applied externally to the affected area, or used in combination with Shishuang, Dengtaiqi, etc. It can also be used in combination with Taibaosanqi, Suogudan, Daxiezhiqi, Xiaoxiezhiqi, etc.
3. It is used for prolapse of the anus and can be used in combination with Wuzeigu, LiugengbaiPi, etc.
4. It is used for liver fire flaming up, red, swollen, and painful eyes, and shy vision. It can be used alone with 15g of Tianpengcao, decocted and used to wash the affected eye, or used in combination with Changchunqi, Wujincao, Qianliguang, ToubuXiao, etc., taken orally and used to wash the affected eye.
5. It is used for liver yang hyperactivity, headache, dizziness, and vertigo. It can be used in combination with Taibaicha, Yunjitou, Lushoucha, etc.
6. It is used for cough with excessive sputum and pulmonary tuberculosis. It can be used alone, or in combination with Dengtaiqi, Zhugenqi, Taibaimi, Zhushaqi, etc.
7. It is used for damp-heat jaundice and can be used in combination with Clover, Zhangkoucao, etc.
【Additional Formulas with Tianpengcao】
1. Dingfeng Huanan San: It invigorates the spleen, dries dampness, transforms phlegm, and relieves wind. It is used for phlegm-fluid counterflow, dizziness, and headache. Tianpengcao 6g, Pusongshi 10g, Nanshefeng 10g, NiuZiqi 10g, Dingfengcao 15g, Hulushe 15g, Hongliuyuehan 12g, grind into fine powder, take 10g each time, swallow with ginger water, or decoct and take orally. (Ye Chunfa)
2. Yangxin Yiyin Zhihan Tang: Tianpengcao 6g, Shishuang 12g, Mianqi 15g, Changchunqi 8g, Taibaiyangshen 10g, Xiezhiqi 8g, Lushoucha 10g, Baizhu 10g, Taibaihua 6g, QinDang 15g, Fuxiaomai 15g, Shanyurou 12g, decoct with warm water and take orally. (Hua Xiankui, Hua You)
3. Hypertension, dizziness, and headache: Tianpengcao 15g, Taibaicha 10g, Taibaihua 12g, Yunjitou 10g, Lushoucha 10g, Hangju 15g, Muzhai 15g, decoct with water and take orally. (Hua You)
4. Pengqiang San: It is used for wind headache and pain in the eyebrows. Tianpengcao, Qianghuohua, Jinyao Dai, Shanbaizhi, Gaoben, grind into fine powder, take 5-6g each time, take 2-3 times a day. (Ye Chunfa)
5. Tianpeng Qianli Tang: It is used for all eye diseases. Tianpengcao 30g, Qianliguang 10g, Taibaicha 30g, Xiakucao 30g, Jinyinhua 30g, Muzhai 30g, decocted, first fumigate and then take orally. (Qiao Yan)
6. Acute conjunctivitis: Tianpengcao 10g, Taibaicha 10g, Jinchaihu 8g, Shenye 6g, Qianliguang 15g, Yejinhua 15g, Sangpi 8g, Chishao 10g, Chanyi 6g, Gancao 6g, Huanglian 4g. Decoct with water and take orally. (Zhao Tianquan)
7. Tinnitus and deafness: Tianpengcao 10g, Yunjitou 10g, Changshengqi 8g, NiuZiqi 10g, Shihu 15g, Danshen 15g, Shichangpu 10g, Yuanzhi 10g, Fengweiqi 10g, Luhancao 10g, Cishi 20g, Shenqu 15g. Decoct with water and take orally. (Zhao Tianquan)
8. External trauma and bleeding from knife wounds: Tianpengcao, Jusanshi, Zhumagen, Shihua, grind into fine powder, sprinkle on the affected area. (Wu Qian)
【Notes on Tianpengcao】
Tianpengcao and Pojing Songluo (Usnea difracta Vain.) can be used interchangeably. The main difference is that the lichen body of Pojing Songluo is shorter, 10-40cm, with bifurcated branching, and the more branches and finer they are towards the front end.
【Picture of Tianpengcao】
