Qingmuxiang is a nephrotoxic traditional Chinese medicine. It used to be commonly used in folk medicine to treat abdominal pain, but due to its inherent toxicity, larger doses can cause nausea and vomiting, among other reactions. Therefore, it is rarely used in medicine nowadays. Let's now learn about the medicinal value of Qingmuxiang.
【Nutritional Value of Qingmuxiang】
In ancient times, Qingmuxiang was another name for Muxiang, referring to high-quality Muxiang. The Qingmuxiang we have now was called Tujing Qingmuxiang in the Tang Dynasty, so this name is not ideal and has caused a lot of confusion.
Its plant is a vine called Tianxian vine, and its fruit is called Madouling. It promotes blood circulation and relieves pain, without causing bloating. It is used for liver and stomach pain, especially suitable for heat-related conditions. It also has detoxification properties, but its significance in treating carbuncle and boils is limited and its effectiveness is not strong.
Qingmuxiang contains volatile oil, with Madouling ketone as its main component, as well as Madouling acid, Qingmuxiang acid, mulan alkaloid, Tujing Qingmuxiang ketone, and propyl ketone, among others.
Qingmuxiang decoction has a significant blood pressure-lowering effect on hypertension caused by various factors. Its mulan alkaloid content has a noticeable hypotensive effect on renal hypertension.
Qingmuxiang alkaloids have different degrees of inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, green pus, large intestine bacteria, and deformed bacteria. They can also enhance the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, thereby enhancing immune function.
【Effects and Functions of Qingmuxiang】
1. Promoting blood circulation and relieving pain
This herb has a pungent and bitter taste and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It can promote qi circulation, regulate the liver, and relieve pain. It is used to treat chest and hypochondriac pain caused by liver and stomach qi stagnation, as well as abdominal pain. Taking it alone is effective, or it can be used in combination with Xiangfu, Chuanlianzi, and Foshou.
2. Clearing heat and drying dampness
Qingmuxiang has a bitter and cold nature, which can clear heat, detoxify, and dispel turbidity. Its pungent taste promotes qi circulation and relieves pain. Fresh Qingmuxiang can be juiced and consumed, or dried Qingmuxiang can be ground into powder and taken. It can also be used in combination with Gegen, Huanglian, and Muxiang to treat diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms caused by unclean food and summer dampness obstruction.
3. Detoxifying and reducing swelling
This herb has a bitter and cold nature and possesses detoxifying and swelling-reducing properties. It can be ground into powder and mixed with honey for topical application to treat carbuncle and swelling. For skin eczema, it can be used as a decoction for washing and applied as a powder in combination with Mingfan, Wubeizi, and Lushan stone. For snake bites, it can be used in combination with Baizhi for internal and external use, or with Chuanxinlian and Zaoxiu.
【Precautions for Using Qingmuxiang】
Qingmuxiang is prohibited because it has strong nephrotoxicity. It contains Madouling acid, which can cause severe toxic side effects such as acute renal failure and acute renal tubular necrosis.
In fact, as early as 2004, it attracted high attention from the government, and in 2004, the use of "Guangfangji" and the roots of Madouling and Beimadouling, which have high content of Madouling acid, were banned.
In addition, the National Medical Products Administration officially announced the cancellation of the medicinal standards for Chinese medicine preparations containing "Qingmuxiang" due to their potential adverse reactions such as kidney damage. These medicines have been completely removed from the market.
Nowadays, Qingmuxiang is replaced by Guangmuxiang in medicinal prescriptions. If Qingmuxiang must be used, it should be used under the guidance of a licensed physician, with strict control of dosage and treatment duration.
During treatment, the function of renal tubules and glomeruli should be monitored. However, it should be used with caution in children and the elderly, and it should be prohibited for pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with renal insufficiency.
