Huanglian is a type of bitter and cold Chinese herbal medicine. It has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. It can be used to treat various diseases. However, we must pay attention to its dosage and usage to prevent harm to the body!
【Morphological Characteristics of Huanglian】
It is an evergreen shrub, 0.5 to 1.5 meters high, with upright stems that are grayish-yellow and have ridges. The thorns are divided into three branches and are 1 to 2.5 centimeters long.
The leaves are clustered, thick and leathery, oblong lanceolate, 3.5 to 8 centimeters long and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide. The edges have thorny hair-like serrations, and the central vein is prominent.
The flowers are yellow, clustered in groups of 5 to 15 in the axils of thorns. There are 6 sepals with 2 to 3 small bracts below. There are 6 petals, 6 stamens with split anthers, and a superior ovary with multiple ovules.
The fruit is inversely ovate and oblong, red in color, covered with white powder, and contains 2 seeds.
【Efficacy and Functions of Huanglian】
Huanglian has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is suitable for people who easily cough or have phlegm after eating hotpot or spicy food, as well as those who are prone to getting pimples after eating spicy food.
In daily life, when we are most susceptible to colds and fevers, especially during the change of seasons when the weather fluctuates between hot and cold, Huanglian can also alleviate toothache. Only 1-5 qian (a unit of measurement in traditional Chinese medicine) of Huanglian is needed for internal use.
Huanglian can also be used to treat enteritis, dysentery, jaundice, hepatitis, and other diseases. If you have these diseases, using five qian to one or two liang (another unit of measurement in traditional Chinese medicine) of Huanglian, decocting it in water and taking it orally, can help alleviate symptoms or even achieve complete recovery.
Huanglian can also be used to treat eczema, ulcers, burns, and scalds. The treatment method is to decoct five qian to one or two liang of Huanglian stems and leaves in water and use it to wash the wound or mix it with oil to apply externally.
【Usage of Huanglian】
Huanglian can be used for hepatitis, but it is generally necessary to follow the guidance of a doctor and determine the specific dosage and method of use. It may also need to be used in combination with other Chinese herbal medicines to achieve better treatment results for hepatitis.
Huanglian also has some benefits for burns. It is generally used orally, but it can also be applied directly to the burned area. The specific dosage depends on the size of the burn area.
Huanglian may seem like a common Chinese herbal medicine, but it should be used in accordance with the proper methods. Each operation and dosage should be taken seriously, so it is advisable to consult a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for specific guidance.
