Sang Baipi is the dried root bark of mulberry tree. It not only has high nutritional value, but also has great medicinal value. It has excellent diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Let's learn about the efficacy and usage of Sang Baipi!
【Medicinal Characteristics of Sang Baipi】
Sang Baipi is harvested in winter, washed, and the brown cork bark is scraped off while it is still fresh. It is then longitudinally split open and gently struck with a wooden mallet to separate the bark from the wood, and the white bark is peeled off and dried.
The dried root bark is often long and twisted, or curved inward on both sides to form a groove. The length, width, and thickness vary, ranging from 1 to 5 millimeters.
The outer surface is pale yellowish-white or nearly white, with a few brownish-yellow or reddish-yellow spots. It is relatively flat, with longitudinal cracks and sparse fibers.
The inner surface is yellowish-white or grayish-yellow, smooth, with fine longitudinal grooves or cracks, and fibers can be seen when peeled.
It is lightweight, tough, difficult to break, and easily splits longitudinally, releasing white powdery dust when torn. It has a slight bean odor and a slightly bitter taste. The best quality is characterized by its white color, thick bark, and abundant powder content.
【Medicinal Applications of Sang Baipi】
1. Lung Heat Cough and Asthma
Sang Baipi has a sweet and cool nature and enters the lung meridian. It can clear lung heat, resolve lung water, and relieve asthma. It is often used in combination with Digu Pi, such as in the prescription Xie Bai San (Pediatric Medicinal Certainty).
If there is water stagnation in the lungs, distention and fullness, and urgent breathlessness, it can be combined with Ma Huang, Xing Ren, and Ting Li Zi to ventilate the lungs and dispel water stagnation. For those with lung deficiency and heat, coughing, shortness of breath, night sweats, it can be combined with Ren Shen, Wu Wei Zi, and Shu Di Huang, such as in Bu Fei Tang (Everlasting Collection of Prescriptions).
2. Edema
Sang Baipi can promote the descent of lung Qi, regulate the water pathways, and promote diuresis to reduce swelling. It is particularly suitable for yang-type edema caused by wind and water retention. In cases of generalized edema, facial edema, abdominal distention, dyspnea, and difficulty in urination, it is often used in combination with Fu Ling Pi, Da Fu Pi, and Chen Pi, such as in Wu Pi San (The Mid-Agonies Classic).
【Dietary Applications of Sang Baipi】
1. Sang Baipi Soup: Prepare 15g of Sang Baipi, boil it in water for half an hour, and divide it into three doses to be taken within one day.
2. Xie Bai San: Prepare 10g of Sang Baipi, 10g of Digu Pi, 6g of Zhi Gan Cao, and 9g of polished rice. Put the above Chinese herbs in a clay pot, add some water, and simmer for about 1 hour. Take one dose of the medicine daily, divided into two administrations.
3. Wu Pi Tang: Prepare 9g each of Sang Baipi, Sheng Jiang Pi, Da Fu Pi, Fu Ling, and Chen Pi. Put the above herbs in a clay pot, simmer in water for 30 minutes, and then strain. Take one dose daily, divided into two administrations. This formula has the function of promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and is mainly used for the treatment of edema.
4. Sang Baipi and Polished Rice Porridge: Prepare 9g of Sang Baipi powder, 50g of polished rice, and 15g of white sugar. Cook the ingredients in water to make porridge. Take it once in the morning and once in the evening for better health.
