The cow's tongue is not the common mammal cow's tongue we often talk about, but a Chinese herbal medicine. It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, killing insects, relieving itching, and promoting diuresis and bowel movements. Let's take a look at the pharmacological effects of cow's tongue.
The root of cow's tongue contains emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein. The leaves contain quercetin and vitamin C, among other nutrients.
1. Diuretic effect
Experimental evidence shows that quercetin has a diuretic effect. Even at a concentration of one in ten thousand, it still has a strong diuretic effect. A 2.7% solution can dilate the renal artery and increase blood flow.
2. Chrysophanol
Chrysophanol has the effects of diuresis, antibacterial (such as against Aspergillus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus anthracis), antispasmodic, and anticancer. Its inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase is non-competitive. Among the inhibitors, chrysophanol is the strongest, followed by rhubarb.
3. Emodin
Gastric lavage with 200-600mg/kg or subcutaneous injection with 50mg/kg can significantly shorten the bleeding time in mice and the blood clotting time in rabbits. Its effects are stronger than those of berberine and vitamin K (the former being 24.5 seconds and the latter being 1.20 minutes and 1.40 minutes respectively).
4. Clinical applications
Scabies: Wash the fresh roots, add vinegar, and apply the juice to the affected area.
Burns: Grind into fine powder, mix with oil, and apply externally. Early stage of swelling and toxicity: Mash the fresh roots and apply externally.
In recent years, it has been found to have good hemostatic effects and is used for uterine bleeding, thrombocytopenia, hematemesis, hemoptysis, and traumatic bleeding. It enhances capillary resistance and promotes the production of platelets in the bone marrow.
5. The root of the Polygonaceae plant Rumex Japonicus has the same functions as cow's tongue. It is bitter, sour, cold, and can cool the blood, stop bleeding, kill insects, detoxify, and promote bowel movements. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and anticancer effects.
Cow's tongue, as a Chinese medicinal herb, is used to treat stubborn eczema, scabies, dermatitis, early-stage swelling and toxicity, constipation, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, burns, and tumors.
