China is the birthplace of traditional Chinese medicine, which gives it a unique advantage in the field of herbal medicine. One such example is the herb called Wuxiangteng, which can treat stomach pain!
【Treatment of Stomach Pain with Wuxiangteng】
Wuxiangteng root and stem, four to six qian. Decoction, or soaked in alcohol.
1. Treat snake bites, rabies bites, and ulcers: Take an appropriate amount of Wuxiangteng leaves, mash them and apply externally. (Yunnan Herbal Medicine Selection)
2. Treat rheumatism, numbness, bruises, stomach pain, irregular menstruation, and vasculitis: Take four to six qian of Wuxiangteng root and stem. Decoction, or soaked in alcohol. (Yunnan Herbal Medicine Selection)
3. Treat external bleeding: Apply powdered Wuxiangteng root bark or leaves to the wound. (Yunnan Herbal Medicine Selection)
【Botanical Characteristics of Wuxiangteng】
Wuxiangteng is an evergreen climbing shrub. The main root is thick and cylindrical. The leaves are alternate, semi-leathery, ovate-lanceolate to elongate-ovate in shape, measuring 5 to 15 centimeters in length. The apex is gradually pointed, the base is bluntly rounded, and the margin is either entire or with sparse fine serrations.
The flowers are unisexual, axillary, and 1 to 2 in number. The bracts are narrow and triangular, about 1 millimeter in length and width. The outermost 3 to 5 sepals are small and triangular to nearly kidney-shaped, with marginal hairs, while the inner 5 sepals are purple-red and oval to ovoid in shape. The stamens are nearly spherical.
The fruits of Wuxiangteng are bright red when ripe. It flowers in the summer.
【Functions and Indications of Wuxiangteng】
Wuxiangteng has the functions of clearing heat and detoxification, relaxing tendons and activating blood circulation, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is used to treat influenza, snake bites, rabies, rheumatism, numbness, bruises, irregular menstruation, and abscesses.
① "Yunnan Herbal Medicine": The root has the functions of clearing heat and detoxification, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It can prevent meningitis, influenza, and treat snake bites, unknown swellings, external bleeding, and fractures.
② "Yunnan Herbal Medicine Selection": The root and stem can relax tendons and activate blood circulation, reduce swelling and relieve pain; the leaves can stop bleeding and disperse stasis.
