Wu Xie Vine, also known as Broken Hearted Bitter Vine, Little Goat Horn Wood, Goat Horn Vine, etc. Wu Xie Vine has rich medicinal value, especially its ability to lower blood sugar, which has been applied in clinical medicine. Now let's take a closer look at the effects and functions of Wu Xie Vine.
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[Treating Diabetes with Wu Xie Vine]
Wu Xie Vine has been used for more than 2000 years in India and southern China to treat diabetes. Its leaves are also used for nourishing the stomach, relieving constipation, maintaining moisture, and treating liver diseases.
The blood sugar-lowering function of Wu Xie Vine leaves was first published in the late 1920s. Its effect is gradual, unlike many prescription blood sugar-lowering drugs that act quickly. According to studies on healthy volunteers, Wu Xie Vine leaves can increase insulin levels.
Based on animal experiments, this may be due to the regeneration of pancreatic cells that secrete insulin. Other animal studies have shown that Wu Xie Vine can also improve glucose uptake into cells and prevent adrenaline from stimulating the liver to produce glucose, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
It has also been shown that in diabetic animals, taking GSE not only improves glucose balance, but also accompanies the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. It is currently the only compound that can reduce diabetes symptoms by directly repairing and regenerating pancreatic insulin-producing cells.
Wu Xie Vine leaves have also been noted for their ability to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Some researchers propose that Wu Xie Vine acid may be one of the reasons. Another component of Wu Xie Vine leaves, glucagon-like peptide and Wu Xie Vine acid, has been shown to block the ability of the human body to taste sweetness.
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[Effects and Functions of Wu Xie Vine]
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Wu Xie Vine has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, promoting pus discharge and reducing swelling, relieving pain, and promoting tissue regeneration. It is used to treat rheumatism, sore throat, scrofula, breast boils, ulcers, eczema, unknown swelling and toxicity, and snake bites.
1. "Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine": The root has the function of reducing swelling, detoxifying, clearing heat, and cooling blood. It is used to treat multiple abscesses, deep abscesses, mastitis, carbuncles, and swollen toxicity.
2. "Color Atlas of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine": The tender branches and leaves can relieve pain, promote tissue regeneration, and reduce swelling. It is used to treat gunshot wounds and kill lice.
Pharmacological effects: Oral or intramuscular injection of the alcoholic extract of the leaves in rats can inhibit the hyperglycemia caused by pituitary gland extract, pituitary growth hormone, or adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Precautions: As long as it is used in the recommended dose, Wu Xie Vine is generally safe and has no side effects. The safety of Wu Xie Vine during pregnancy and lactation has not been tested.
Diabetic patients should take Wu Xie Vine extract under the clinical supervision of healthcare professionals to lower blood sugar levels.
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[How to Choose Wu Xie Vine]
The dried roots of Wu Xie Vine are cylindrical, with a diameter of 1-3cm, often cut into oblique slices with a thickness of 2-5mm; the outer surface is gray-brown, rough, with cracks and pores;
The cross-section of Wu Xie Vine is yellow, with fine small holes in the wood, forming a wave-like curve of layer rings, loose marrow, and light brown. The stems are cylindrical, gray-brown, with pores and covered with fine hairs.
The leaves are opposite, wrinkled and shrunk, and when fully expanded, they are inverted ovate or ovate-oblong, 3-8cm long and 1.5-4cm wide, with only the veins being slightly hairy; both fresh and dried leaves contain latex.
The leaf stalk of Wu Xie Vine is 3-10mm long and covered with short hairs. It has a slight bitter taste. Wu Xie Vine is best when the branches are tender, leaves are abundant, roots are thick and yellow in cross-section, and there are no impurities.
The roots of Wu Xie Vine can be harvested throughout the year, washed, sliced, dried, or used fresh; the branches and leaves are harvested in spring and used fresh.
