Chinese herbal medicine Wuxiangteng and Xiangshiteng have similar plant morphology, making it difficult for most people to distinguish between the two. However, we all know that each type of Chinese herbal medicine has different functions. Using the correct one can be beneficial, but using the wrong one can be deadly. Let's compare the two medicines to help everyone distinguish between them.
Comparison of the Appearance and Structure of Wuxiangteng and Xiangshiteng
1. Wuxiangteng is the whole plant of the Magnolia family, similar to Gomishi in the middle lineage.
It is an evergreen climbing shrub with a thick, cylindrical main root. The leaves are alternate, leathery, ovoid-lanceolate to elliptic, 5-15cm in length, gradually pointed at the tip, and blunt or slightly serrated at the base or near the anterior margin. The flowers are unisexual, axillary, 1-2 per axil, with narrow triangular bracts about 1mm long and wide. The outermost 3-5 perianth segments are small, triangular to nearly reniform, with marginal hairs, and the inner 5 segments are purple-red, elliptic to ovate. The stamens are nearly spherical. The fruit is dark purple and turns bright red when ripe. It flowers in the summer and grows in sunny crevices or mountain slope shrubs. It is distributed in Yunnan.
2. Xiangshiteng is the whole plant of the Magnolia family, similar to Pizhenye Gomishi.
It is a climbing vine, about 5 meters long. The leaves on the long branches are alternate, and those on the short branches are clustered. They are elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 6-9cm long and 3-6cm wide, with sparse serrations on the edges. It grows in sparse forests or shrubs in the mountains.
Functions and Effects of Wuxiangteng
1. Functions and effects of Wuxiangteng:
Clears heat and detoxifies, relaxes tendons and promotes blood circulation, reduces swelling and relieves pain, treats influenza, snake bites, rabies, rheumatism, numbness, bruises, irregular menstruation, abscesses, and boils.
2. Effects and uses of Xiangshiteng:
Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for bruises, fractures, and rheumatic lower back pain.
Comparison of Related Combinations
1. Related combinations of Wuxiangteng:
① Treatment of snake bites, rabies, and abscesses: Apply a suitable amount of Wuxiangteng leaves externally. (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection)
② Treatment of rheumatism, numbness, stomach pain, irregular menstruation, and vasculitis: Take 4-6 qian (12-18 grams) of Wuxiangteng roots and stems, decoct and take orally, or soak in wine. (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection)
③ Treatment of external bleeding: Grind Wuxiangteng root bark or leaves into powder and sprinkle it on the wound. (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection)
2. Related combinations of Xiangshiteng:
① Treatment of bruises, fractures: Apply a suitable amount of Xiangshiteng, grind it into a paste, mix it with hot water, and apply it externally to the affected area. Also, use 15-30g of Xiangshiteng root bark, soak it in wine, and take it orally. (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine)
② Treatment of bruises, rheumatic back pain: Soak 60g of Xiangshiteng root in 500ml of wine for 5-7 days. Take 10ml orally, 3 times a day. (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection)
Comparison of Growth Environments
Wuxiangteng: It grows in sunny rock crevices or mountain slope shrubs. It is distributed in Yunnan.
Xiangshiteng: It grows in mixed forests, rocky slopes, and stream valleys at an altitude of 1500-2400m. It is distributed in Sichuan and Yunnan.
