Guanmu Tong tastes bitter, has a cold nature, and has the effects of clearing heat and promoting bowel movements, as well as promoting menstruation and lactation. It is similar to Mutong, making it difficult for people to differentiate between the two. Let's understand the differences between Guanmu Tong and Mutong separately.
1. Different tastes
Mutong has a mild taste that becomes even milder with prolonged chewing. However, Guanmu Tong is different. It starts with a mild taste, but as you chew for a longer time, a bitter sensation will arise. Many traditional Chinese medicine experts describe the taste of Guanmu Tong as "camphor-like and pungent".
2. Different medicinal properties
The medicinal properties of Mutong mainly focus on "dispelling dampness", while the medicinal properties of Guanmu Tong mainly focus on "dispelling heat". For example, if the patient's body belongs to the non-hot type and has a weak constitution, long-term use of medicines containing Guanmu Tong, such as Longdan Xiegan Wan, can easily damage the body.
3. Different appearances
Guanmu Tong has thicker and sturdier stems that are not easily broken. The color of the wood is yellow. The surface of Mutong is usually gray-brown, with many irregular cracks and thicker skin.
4. Differences in toxicity
The toxicity of Guanmu Tong has been highly debated in the field of traditional Chinese medicine in China, and it has finally been confirmed.
