After being bitten by a venomous snake, it is important to stay calm and still. Try to keep the bitten area below the level of the heart and seek treatment. "Didingcao" is mentioned as having a good effect on treating snake bites, but what does it look like? Here are the details:
Image of Didingcao
How to Identify a Snake Bite
1. Look at the shape of the snake
Venomous snakes usually have a triangular-shaped head, colorful patterns on their bodies, and short, thin tails;
Non-venomous snakes have an elliptical-shaped tongue, monotone color on their bodies, and long, thin tails.
2. Examine the wound
A snake bite from a venomous snake often leaves a pair of large, deep indentations on the skin, or two rows of small tooth marks with a pair of larger tooth marks above them, and some even have broken teeth embedded in the wound;
A bite from a non-venomous snake will not leave any tooth marks or may have symmetrical, small tooth marks.
If the snake bite occurs at night and you are unable to see the snake or determine if it was a venomous snake, do not wait for changes in the wound to determine if it was a venomous snake bite.
Benefits of Didingcao
The whole plant of Didingcao is used in medicine. It has a bitter taste, cold nature, and slight toxicity. It belongs to the spleen and heart meridians.
It is mainly produced in Liaoning, Guizhou, and Hunan. According to experts, Didingcao has four major benefits.
1. Didingcao has the effect of reducing swelling and detoxifying
Image of Didingcao
Didingcao can clear heat, detoxify, reduce abscesses, and have certain effects in relieving high fever and restlessness.
It is effective in treating influenza, upper respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, and mumps.
2. Didingcao has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
Modern pharmacology shows that Didingcao can treat bacterial infections such as enteritis, nephritis, hepatitis, acute appendicitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, and other purulent infections.
3. Didingcao has the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain
Didingcao has the ability to reduce swelling and relieve pain caused by various infections. It can treat swollen abscesses, mastitis, ulcers, and boils.
4. Didingcao has the effect of treating snake bites
Fresh Didingcao juice can be ingested, or it can be crushed and applied externally with a little realgar.
Usage and Dosage of Didingcao
Oral: Decoction, take 0.5-1 liang (2-3 liang fresh); crush and extract juice or grind into powder.
External use: Crush and apply or make into a paste for topical application.
Precautions when using Didingcao
Do not use if you have a weak and cold constitution.
