Shanxiang, also known as Jinjizhao or Jizhacan, is a plant belonging to the Umbelliferae family and is used medicinally for its roots. The best time to harvest is in autumn, and it can be used fresh after washing or dried and sliced. The pharmacological effects and prescriptions are as follows:
Shanxiang
Pharmacological effects of Shanxiang:
1. Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects:
Shanxiang distillate has a significant antitussive effect on cough induced by ammonia in guinea pigs. It can promote the excretion of phenol red from the bronchi of mice, indicating a certain expectorant effect.
The inhibition rate of rat foot swelling inflammation is similar to that of 0.25% dexamethasone.
2. Effects on smooth muscle:
Crystalline isopimpinellin, extracted from Shanxiang root with ethyl ether, when prepared as a suspension with Tween-80, has been found to have a certain spasmolytic effect on isolated rabbit intestines, guinea pig trachea, and rabbit aortic strips. It can also inhibit in situ small intestinal peristalsis.
3. Antibacterial effects:
In vitro antibacterial tests have shown that Shanxiang distillate has a certain inhibitory effect on Streptococcus type A and B, influenza virus, and Pneumococcus.
Prescriptions using Shanxiang:
① Treatment of cold:
Yanfeng root 15 grams, Perilla leaf 6 grams, fresh ginger 3 slices. Decoction and take orally. Alternatively, Yanfeng stem and flower stalks 9-15 grams, decoction and take orally. (From "Folk Medicinal Herbs in Zhejiang")
② Treatment of cough with excessive phlegm:
Yanfeng root 15 grams. Decoction and take orally. (From "Folk Medicinal Herbs in Zhejiang")
Shanxiang
③ Treatment of cough with wind-heat:
Shanxiang root 15 grams. Decoction and take orally. (From "Jiangxi Medicinal Herbs")
④ Treatment of hemoptysis:
Shanxiang root 9 grams, Achyranthes bidentata root 6 grams, Prunella vulgaris 9 grams, June snow 6 grams. Decoction and take orally, with brown sugar and rice wine as an adjuvant. (From "Jiangxi Medicinal Herbs")
Functions and indications of Shanxiang:
Used for stomach pain, abdominal pain, angina pectoris, headache, rheumatic bone pain, contusions, hernia pain, bronchitis, liver cirrhosis with ascites, amenorrhea, amoebic dysentery, parotitis, snake bites. It dispels wind and clears heat, activates blood circulation and disperses blood stasis, promotes qi circulation and relieves pain.
① "Guangxi Medicinal Plant Directory": "Whole plant: nourishes and strengthens, promotes qi circulation. Used for tuberculosis, stomach pain, angina pectoris, malaria, dysentery, contusions, amenorrhea."
② "Handbook of Common Medicinal Herbs in Guangzhou Military": "Root: activates blood circulation and disperses blood stasis, promotes qi circulation, relieves cough and eliminates phlegm. Used for angina pectoris, stomach pain, chronic cough, snake bites."
③ "Jiangxi Medicinal Herbs": "Root: clears heat and detoxifies, stops coughing and bleeding. Used for leucorrhea."
④ "Folk Medicinal Herbs in Zhejiang": "Root: induces sweating and reduces fever."
⑤ "Selected Practical Medicinal Herbs of Guangxi": "Root: dispels wind and reduces swelling, activates blood circulation and disperses blood stasis, resolves qi and relieves pain. Used for stomach pain, hemoptysis, rheumatic joint pain, cold abscess, chronic osteomyelitis, abdominal pain."
