Guanmutong is a type of traditional Chinese medicinal herb that clears heat and promotes urination. It is mainly harvested in autumn and winter, and after removing the outer skin, it can be used after drying. It has the effects of clearing heart fire, promoting urination, and relieving menstrual pain and lactation. Now let's introduce the difference between Mutong and Guanmutong!
1. Different Taste
Mutong has a relatively mild taste, and the taste becomes weaker the longer you chew it. However, Guanmutong is different. It starts with a mild taste, but as you chew it longer, it will have a bitter sensation. Many experts in traditional Chinese medicine describe the taste of Guanmutong as "camphor-like and pungent".
2. Different Medicinal Properties
The medicinal properties of Mutong mainly lie in its ability to "eliminate dampness", while Guanmutong's medicinal properties mainly focus on "dispelling heat". For example, if a patient's body belongs to the non-febrile type and has a weak constitution, long-term use of drugs containing Guanmutong, such as Longdan Xiegan Wan, can easily cause damage to the body.
3. Different Appearances
Guanmutong's stems are thick and sturdy, not easily broken, and the color of the woody part is yellow. The surface of Mutong is usually grayish-brown, with many irregular cracks, and the skin is thick.
4. Differences in Toxicity
The toxicity of Guanmutong has been highly debated in the field of traditional Chinese medicine in the past, and it has ultimately been confirmed to have toxic properties.
