The Three Needles, also known as Copper Needle Sting, are harvested in spring and autumn. After removing the roots, they are washed, sliced, and dried by roasting or sun-drying, avoiding direct sunlight. The branches can be harvested throughout the year. Let's take a look at the specific effects and applications of The Three Needles!
The Three Needles
The Three Needles
【Alias】 Copper Needle Sting;
【Source】 "Compendium of Materia Medica";
【Properties】 Bitter, cold;
【Meridians Entered】 Liver, stomach, large intestine meridians;
【Main Functions】 Treats damp-heat dysentery; diarrhea; jaundice; eczema; sores; mouth ulcers; red eyes; sore throat.
【Dosage and Administration】 Internal use: decoction, 0.5-30g; or soak in alcohol. External use: appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply.
【Contraindications】 Caution should be taken in case of spleen and stomach deficiency and cold.
The Effects and Functions of The Three Needles
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that The Three Needles have the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and dispersing stasis. They are mainly used to treat dysentery, jaundice, sore throat, red eyes, and injuries from falls or blows.
1. "Classification of Medicinal Properties": Treats injuries from falls or blows, and hemoptysis caused by labor fatigue.
2. "Sichuan Chinese Herbal Medicine": Clears heat and detoxifies, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Treats red eyes, dysentery, hemoptysis caused by labor fatigue, swollen throat, diarrhea, toothache, earache, and injuries from falls or blows.
3. "Guizhou Medicinal Herbs": Reduces fever, promotes diuresis, disperses stasis, relieves pain, and cools blood.
The Effects and Functions of The Three Needles
Applications of The Three Needles
1. Treatment of Bloody Dysentery
Boil five qian (15g) of The Three Needles with five qian (15g) of brown sugar, and take the decoction.
2. Treatment of Jaundice
Boil five qian (15g) of The Three Needles stems and take the decoction.
3. Treatment of Eye Inflammation
Grind the roots and stems of The Three Needles into a paste, and apply it to the eyes.
4. Treatment of Wounds
Grind the roots of The Three Needles into powder and apply it to the wound.
5. Treatment of Injuries from Falls or Blows
Soak one or two liang (15-30g) of The Three Needles in alcohol for internal use, and apply externally.
Compound Applications of The Three Needles
Clinical Applications
1. Damp-heat dysentery, jaundice, eczema
The Three Needles have the bitter and cold properties to clear heat and dry dampness. They enter the stomach and large intestine meridians to treat bloody dysentery effectively. They can be used alone or in combination with other herbs such as Purslane and Qinpi.
To treat damp-heat jaundice, The Three Needles can be used in combination with Herba Artemisiae Scopariae and Herba Desmodii Styracifolii. To treat eczema, The Three Needles can be ground into powder and applied externally, or used in combination with Indigo Naturalis and Talcum for external use.
2. Boils, swollen sores, sore throat, red and swollen eyes
The Three Needles have the function of clearing heat and detoxification. They can be used to treat boils, swollen sores, sore throat, and can be combined with herbs such as Honeysuckle Flower, Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, and Forsythia to achieve the desired effect. For red and swollen eyes, The Three Needles can be combined with Chinese Gentian Grass, Plantago Seed, and Gardenia Fruit.
