Didingcao is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has the function of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is the whole grass of the Papaveraceae plant Diding Zijin. It has strong adaptability and can be grown in clay, loam, and sandy loam. Let's learn about the medicinal value and cultivation methods of Didingcao below.
1. Clearing heat and detoxifying
Didingcao has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is effective in treating upper respiratory tract infections and tonsillitis caused by influenza.
It is often used when there is an abundance of heat-toxin. It can be used in combination with other herbs such as Lianqiao and Wild Chrysanthemum. It can also be used with Baizhi and Astragalus to enhance the effect of reducing swelling and treating abscesses.
2. Reducing swelling and relieving pain
Didingcao has the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain. It has anti-inflammatory and swelling-reducing effects on various infections. It is mainly used to treat abscesses, boils, carbuncles, and ulcers. It is often used in combination with Dahuang, Hongteng, and Baihua She Shecao to achieve better results.
3. Antibacterial
Didingcao injection has inhibitory effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcus, and Cardiobacterium in vitro.
The water extract of Didingcao has inhibitory effects on herpes simplex virus and can delay the cell damage caused by orphan viruses.
1. Treatment of boils and abscesses
Didingcao has a bitter and dispersing nature. It has the ability to clear heat and detoxify, cool blood, reduce swelling, and disperse abscesses. It is commonly used to treat blood heat stagnation, abscesses, and ulcers. Its particular strength lies in the treatment of boils and abscesses.
It can be used alone by crushing fresh Didingcao and taking the juice internally, while applying the residue externally. It can also be used in combination with Jinyinhua, Pugongying, and Wild Chrysanthemum to clear heat and detoxify, such as the Wuzhi Xiaodu Drink from the "Yi Zong Jin Jian."
It is often used in combination with Pugongying to treat breast abscesses. It can be decocted and taken orally, and the residue can be applied externally, or it can be boiled into a paste and applied to the affected area, both of which are effective. It is also used in combination with Dahuang, Hongteng, and Baihua She Shecao to treat intestinal abscesses.
2. Treatment of snake bites
Didingcao can also neutralize snake venom and treat snake bites. Fresh Didingcao can be crushed and taken internally, or it can be mixed with a small amount of Realgar and applied topically.
3. Treatment of external heat diseases
"Ben Cao Gang Mu" stated that it can treat all kinds of abscesses, boils, carbuncles, and ulcers.
"Ben Cao Zheng Yi" says, "Diding is a commonly used medicine for abscesses and swelling. However, it is not appropriate for the treatment of cold condensation and yin ulceration."
1. Propagation method
Didingcao is propagated by seeds, with about 3-4 kilograms of seeds per mu. It is usually intercropped with gramineous plants. After the corn and other gramineous plants are harvested in mid-summer, the soil between the rows is lightly hoed.
The seeds are evenly scattered between the rows and covered with soil using a large hoe. Water should be poured to keep the soil moist, and the seedlings will emerge in about 30 days.
2. Cultivation techniques
(1) Field management
Since Didingcao is a shade-loving plant, watering should be done frequently after emergence. When the autumn crops are mature and harvested, care should be taken not to bury the Didingcao seedlings. Before freezing, water should be poured to freeze the soil, and organic fertilizer should be applied.
After the thaw in the following spring, the dung blocks should be smashed and leveled. From Qingming to Guyu, when the new leaves have not yet covered the ground, urea should be applied at a rate of 10-15 kilograms per mu, followed by watering. After Lixia, watering should be stopped to prevent stem and leaf rot and reduce yield.
(2) Major diseases and pests
Around the Jingzhe period, when the seedlings turn green, there are often black caterpillars of a certain lepidopteran species that feed on the tender shoots of Didingcao, causing serious damage. They can be killed by spraying with Beauveria bassiana (Lepidoptera No. 3) at a concentration of 500-1000 times; or 2500 grams of spore powder can be mixed with 15-25 kilograms of fine soil per mu and spread in the field for insecticide.
