The herb called "Da Wei Yao" is a relatively rare heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine. Due to its special growth environment, it is mostly wild and rarely cultivated. Da Wei Yao is used in its entirety as a medicinal herb and can be used after harvesting in the summer and autumn seasons. Let's take a look at the identification method of Da Wei Yao.
Image of Da Wei Yao
【Identification of Da Wei Yao】
The leaves of Da Wei Yao are opposite or nearly opposite, with wrinkled leaflets that are about 5-10cm long and ovate or triangular-ovate in shape.
The flowers have green sepals, and the corolla is light blue-purple or white. There are 5 stamens, and the inflorescence is terminal and in the form of a one-sided spike. The small flowers densely grow only on the upper side of the flower axis, curving outward at the tip, gradually opening from the bottom to the top. The flowering period is from May to September.
The terminal inflorescence is arranged in a double-forked scorpion-like manner, with the entire inflorescence reaching up to 15cm in length. The end curls up like a caterpillar, which is why it is also called "Ear Hook Grass".
The fruit is a capsule formed by the fusion of two small nutlets.
Uses: Da Wei Yao is used as a food source, medicinal herb, and source of nectar for bees.
Image of Da Wei Yao
【Pharmacological Effects of Da Wei Yao】
1. Anti-cancer effect
The anti-cancer active compounds isolated from Da Wei Yao are Da Wei Yao alkaloid and Da Wei Yao alkaloid N-radicals. Da Wei Yao alkaloid has a significant inhibitory effect on mouse leukemia P388.
2. Effects on smooth muscles
The water extract of the roots can increase the tension of the isolated rabbit duodenum, but has no significant effect on the isolated guinea pig ileum; the alcoholic extract has inhibitory effects on both. It has a significant stimulating effect on the isolated rat uterus. Both the water extract and the alcoholic extract have oxytocin-like effects.
3. Hypotensive effect
The water extract of the roots, when intravenously injected into anesthetized cats, can lower blood pressure and cause respiratory stimulation; it has an inhibitory effect on the isolated toad heart; the alcoholic extract has no effect.
Image of Da Wei Yao
【Applications of Da Wei Yao】
1. Treatment of scabies and abdominal pain: Fresh Da Wei Yao herb, 1-2 liang (Chinese weight measurement). Decoction and consume.
2. Treatment of pneumonia, lung abscess, and empyema: Fresh Da Wei Yao herb, 2 liang. Decoction and mix with honey for consumption; or crush and squeeze 2-4 liang of fresh herb, mix with honey for consumption.
3. Treatment of testicular swelling and pain: Fresh Da Wei Yao root, 2 liang. Decoction and consume.
4. Treatment of infantile convulsions: Dry Da Wei Yao root, 4 qian (Chinese weight measurement), dry Huang Dan Cao (a type of herb), 3 qian, add a little salt, stew with water and consume.
5. Treatment of oral ulcers: Crush and squeeze the fresh leaves of Da Wei Yao, use the juice for mouth rinsing, 4-6 times a day.
6. Treatment of boils and abscesses: Fresh Da Wei Yao root, 2 liang, a little salt, decoction and consume; also take fresh leaves, crush with leftover rice, and apply as a poultice. (Selected from "Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine")
