Zhegucai, also known as Huichongcai, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for treating parasitic infections, particularly roundworm infections. This herbal medicine is not commonly used, and its main function is to expel parasites. Let's take a look at the research on the principles of using Zhegucai to treat roundworm infections.
[Causes of Roundworm Infections]
Roundworm infections are caused by the parasitic infestation of roundworms in the human body. Infection occurs when people consume unwashed fruits or vegetables or when contaminated fingers carry the parasite eggs into the mouth. In the short term, if a person ingests a large amount of infectious eggs, symptoms such as fever, dry cough, bloody mucus, and allergies may appear after 8-9 days.
[Symptoms of Roundworm Infections]
After the adult worms infect the body, patients often experience pain in the upper abdomen or around the navel. In severe cases, it can cause malnutrition, intellectual disability, and developmental disorders. When the intestinal roundworms are subjected to high fever and various stimuli, they can potentially cause severe conditions such as biliary roundworm disease, acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis, and roundworm intestinal obstruction. Sometimes, the roundworms can penetrate the weakened intestinal wall and enter the abdomen, causing diffuse peritonitis.
[Treatment of Roundworm Infections]
For roundworm infections, Western medicine such as Chongqing Capsules can be used for treatment. Alternatively, algae-based medications such as Zhegucai, dendritic cartilage algae, and seaweed can be used.
Zhegucai, also known as Huichongcai or Meishezao, is a dark purple algae. It is 1-4 centimeters tall, with flat and narrow leaves and irregularly branched forks.
[Principles of Zhegucai in Treating Roundworm Infections]
1. Meishezao Terpenoids
The mechanism of Zhegucai's ability to expel parasites is believed to be due to its active ingredient, Meishezao terpenoids, which inhibit roundworm muscle dehydrogenase. It is also believed that the iron-containing respiratory dehydrogenase in the roundworm's intestinal epithelial cells is reduced, resulting in loss of activity.
Due to its content of parasite-expelling oxalic acid and its paralyzing effect on the central nervous system, Zhegucai has value as an anthelmintic and as a research tool for the central nervous system.
Zhegucai contains Meishezao terpenoids (also known as oxalic acid), which is the effective component for expelling roundworms. After taking Zhegucai decoction, the effectiveness of parasite expulsion can reach over 80%. If the refined alcoholic extract of the algae's active ingredients is taken, the parasite expulsion rate can reach about 91%. The advantage of using Zhegucai for parasite expulsion is that it has no obvious side effects, and most patients can expel live roundworms the next day. In addition, Zhegucai also has a good effect in expelling pinworms and tapeworms.
2. Disruption of Roundworm's Carbohydrate Metabolism
Some believe that the mechanism of action for expelling parasites is the disruption of the roundworm's carbohydrate metabolism, leading to abnormal and hyperactive movement, which is then expelled from the body along with the intestinal peristalsis.
[Historical Origins of Zhegucai in Parasite Expulsion]
Zhegucai has been used in China since ancient times for expelling roundworms.
The name Zhegucai was first recorded in the 1530 "Zhangpu County Chronicle" in Fujian Province, which states, "Zhegucai grows among the rocks in the sea, is scattered and dark in color. When children eat it, it can expel worms from the abdomen."
Similar records can be found in the "Min Book" and the "Compendium of Materia Medica." Zhegucai is also known as Huichongyao, Wucai, and Shibazao.
"Compendium of Materia Medica": Used to treat worm accumulation in children's abdomen, it can be expelled after consumption.
The main function of Zhegucai is to expel parasites, treat roundworm infections, and provide significant relief for symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain.
