Dachao cai, also known as Chinese wild cabbage, is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 40-100 centimeters. It prefers warm and cool weather and has strong resistance to cold. It can be grown in agricultural and pastoral areas below 3000 meters in altitude in Gansu Province. Pregnant women should use caution when using Dachao cai as a traditional Chinese medicine.
Functions and Indications of Dachao Cai
Dachao cai clears heat, promotes diuresis, and dispels blood stasis. It is used to treat jaundice, edema, malaria, epistaxis, palpitations, nocturnal emission, and irregular menstruation.
① "Ben Cao Shi Yi": "Regulates the middle, promotes bowel movement."
② "Hai Yao Ben Cao": "Regulates the urinary system, reduces edema, and moisturizes the large intestine."
③ "Pin Hui Jing Yao": "Tonifies qi, moisturizes the skin, clears the mind, and strengthens the will."
④ "Cao Mu Bian Fang": "Activates blood circulation, breaks up blood stasis, stops bleeding, and promotes tissue regeneration. It treats five types of jaundice and swelling, relieves organ heat, treats malaria, improves digestion, and enhances hearing and vision."
⑤ "Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine": "Nourishes blood. Treats kidney deficiency with spermatorrhea, lower back pain, and damp-heat swelling."
【Dosage and Administration】Oral administration: decoction, 25-50 grams; or stew with meat. External use: pounded and applied.
Selected Formulas and Applications of Dachao Cai
1. Treatment of Malaria
Take 50 grams of Dachao cai and decoct in water for oral administration. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
2. Treatment of Epistaxis
Take 50 grams of Dachao cai and decoct in sweet wine for consumption. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
3. Treatment of Jaundice and Edema
Take wild sesame, Huangjiao chicken, soapberry, stinky grass root, and Arisaema erubescens. Decoct and consume. ("Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine")
4. Treatment of Nocturnal Emission and Palpitations
Take wild sesame, American ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, cinnabar, Xianmao, and Eucommia bark. Stew with pig's trotters for consumption. ("Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine")
5. Treatment of Irregular Menstruation
Take Dachao cai seeds and small bloodvine, soak in liquor for consumption. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
6. Treatment of Boils
Take fresh Dachao cai, pound it with salt brine, and apply it topically. ("Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Handbook")
