Loulu, also known as Wild Orchid, Ghost Oil Hemp, and Wolf Head Flower, is a perennial herb with thick rhizomes. It is widely distributed in northeastern, northwestern, and central China, mainly produced in Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, and other provinces. Loulu has a slight fragrance and a slightly bitter taste. It can be used as medicine. So what are the effects, functions, and taboos of Loulu?
Clearing heat and detoxifying
Loulu is bitter, cold, and can clear heat and detoxify. It is suitable for conditions with excessive heat and toxins, such as carbuncles, furuncles, mumps, dysentery, and red eyes.
Regulating menstruation and promoting lactation
Loulu has a bitter taste and can regulate menstruation and promote lactation. It is commonly used in postpartum lactation disorders. It can treat breast milk stagnation, lack of breast milk, breast distention, and potential breast abscess. It is often used together with other herbs such as pangolin and Wang Bu Liu Xing. If there is deficiency of Qi and blood, and the breast milk is scarce and thin, it should be used together with Huangqi and Lu Jiao Jiao.
Reducing swelling and eliminating pus
"Ben Jing Feng Yuan": "Loulu, in Ben Jing, is used to treat hot and toxic sores and promote lactation, because it can promote the flow of orifices. It is an essential medicine for eliminating pus, disinfecting, and killing parasites. It can soften solid masses and cold can relieve toxins. Therefore, taking it will cause diarrhea and make the evil qi come out from below." It can be used to treat breast abscess, scrofula, and ulcers.
Activating meridians and relieving pain
Loulu is often used for pain in the limbs and joints caused by wind, cold, and dampness stagnating in the meridians, obstructing the circulation of blood. Symptoms include fixed pain, difficulty in flexion and extension, heavy sensation in the limbs, and limited mobility. The tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and slow.
Cooling blood and stopping bleeding
Due to its bitter and cold properties, Loulu can promote bowel movements, clear heat, cool blood, and stop bleeding. Therefore, it can be used to treat conditions such as hematuria, bleeding, and bleeding hemorrhoids.
Nutritional value of Loulu
Loulu contains compounds such as β-sitosterol, volatile oil/lipid-soluble components, cardopatine, isocaropatine, loulu saponin, and glycyrrhizin.
1. Loulu alcohol extract has certain antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
2. Alcohol extract can significantly inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase-B in rat brain mitochondria and liver.
3. Water extract has different degrees of activity against 14 skin fungi.
4. Decoction can significantly inhibit the generation of lipid peroxide in rat and mouse brain, liver, heart, kidney, and serum.
5. Feeding rabbits and quails with high-fat feed and Loulu decoction can reduce blood cholesterol and lipid peroxide, increase the ratio of prostacyclin to thromboxane A2, reduce white blood cell infiltration in arterial walls, and inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Contraindications for Loulu
1. Loulu is bitter, cold, and can easily consume the body's vital energy. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in people with deficiency of Qi and flat ulcers.
2. Loulu has the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, and activating meridians and blood circulation, so it is not suitable for pregnant women.
3. Infants and young children should use it with caution. Infants and young children should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
Dosage and usage of Loulu
1. Promoting lactation: Take 100 grams of chicken eggs and 10 grams of Loulu. Wash Loulu and put it in a pot. Add a large bowl of water and boil for 15 minutes. Remove the residue and bring to a boil. Add the chicken eggs. This dietary therapy has the effect of promoting lactation.
2. Postpartum lack of breast milk: Take 1 pig's trotter, 3 grams of Tongcao, 10 grams of Loulu, 100 grams of glutinous rice, appropriate amount of green onion, monosodium glutamate, and refined salt. Put Tongcao and Loulu in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water and boil until the broth is thick. Remove the residue and take the broth. Put the pot on the fire, add pig's trotter, medicinal broth, glutinous rice, green onion, and an appropriate amount of water. Cook until the meat is tender. Add monosodium glutamate and refined salt to taste. This porridge has the effect of promoting the flow of breast milk and blood vessels. It is suitable for postpartum women with no milk or lactation disorders.
