Cihuanglian is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice. It is the root and stem bark of the plant Mahonia fortunei, a member of the Berberidaceae family. It is mainly harvested in summer and autumn and can be used to quickly reduce swelling.
【Morphological Characteristics of Cihuanglian】
It is an evergreen shrub, 0.5-1.5 meters tall, with upright stems that are grey-yellow and have edges. The thorns are forked and 1-2.5 centimeters long.
The leaves are clustered, thick and leathery, oblong-lanceolate in shape, 3.5-8 centimeters long and 1-2.5 centimeters wide, with thorny hair-like serrations on the edges and clear veins.
The flowers are yellow, clustered in groups of 5-15 in the axils of thorns. There are 6 sepals with 2-3 small bracts below, 6 petals, 6 stamens with split anthers, and a superior ovary with multiple ovules.
The berries are inversely ovate and elongated, red in color, covered with white powder, and contain 2 seeds. It grows in ditches, riverbanks, or mountain slopes. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces.
【Medicinal Effects of Cihuanglian】
Cihuanglian is a commonly used medicinal herb in clinical medicine and has a wide range of applications in daily life. It has the functions of quickly reducing swelling, clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing inflammation.
Currently, this medicinal herb can be used to treat hepatitis, oral ulcers, urinary pain, and burns.
The medicinal effects of Cihuanglian are not limited to these. Due to its ability to quickly reduce swelling, it can also assist in the treatment of oral ulcers.
In addition, Cihuanglian can also be used for hepatitis, but the specific dosage and usage need to be determined under the guidance of a doctor. It may need to be used in combination with other herbs to achieve more significant effects in the treatment of hepatitis.
