The root rhizome of the plant called "Yáng Jiǎo Tiān Má" in Chinese, also known as Dajiuguniu, belongs to the family of lacquer tree plants. It grows in sunny grass slopes or shrubs at altitudes between 1100-2300m, mainly found in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. It is known for its effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, relieving pain, and stopping cough.
Image of Dajiuguniu
【Effects and Uses of Dajiuguniu】
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Dajiuguniu has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, relieving cough and pain. It is commonly used for conditions such as hot cough, mastitis, parotitis, boils, and bruises.
"The National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Clears heat, detoxifies, relieves pain and cough. Mainly used for hot cough, parotitis, mastitis, boils and abscesses."
1. Treatment of hot cough: Take 5 grams of Dajiuguniu root (peeled), 2 grams of Xiangling grass, and 2 grams of Wacao. Grind them into powder and take 2 grams each time, twice a day.
2. Treatment of mastitis, parotitis, boils, and abscesses: Take equal parts of Dajiuguniu, Chonglou, Baiji, Xiaozhanyao, and Wuxiang Xueteng. Grind them into powder and mix with honey or vinegar for external application.
Image of Dajiuguniu
【Morphological Characteristics of Dajiuguniu】
It is a shrub, about 1 meter tall, with thick and fat roots and sparse white hairs on the branches. The leaves are alternate; leaf blades are ovate-elliptic, 3-6.5 cm in length, 2-4.5 cm in width, with blunt or slightly pointed tips, rounded bases, and irregular coarse serrations on the edges; no stipules.
The flowers are small and white, unisexual and dioecious, in terminal conical inflorescences; male flowers have cup-shaped calyxes with 4 lobes; petals are lanceolate-spoon-shaped; female flowers have no petals, with a ring-shaped disc; two leaf-like bracts are present, white in color.
Dajiuguniu is cylindrical, 3.7-7.5 cm in length, grayish-white or light brown on the surface, opaque; if the outer skin is not removed, 3-4 concentric rings and longitudinal ridges can be seen, and a layer of outer skin can be peeled off, resembling fibers.
Distinctive knife marks can be seen. There is a concave or raised residue of stem at the top. It is solid and not easily broken, with an uneven section, resembling wood. It has a mild aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
Image of Dajiuguniu
【Methods of Using Dajiuguniu】
1. Dajiuguniu Powder
Take equal parts of Dajiuguniu, Chonglou, Baiji, Xiaozhanyao, and Wuxuet Xiangteng.
Method: Grind the above ingredients into powder and mix with honey or vinegar for external application.
2. Dajiuguniu Wine
Take 15 grams of Dajiuguniu (Quercus variabilis) and 500 grams of white wine.
Method: Wash the Dajiuguniu, put it in a wide-mouthed bottle, pour in the white wine, seal it tightly, and soak for 1 month to obtain the wine.
