Artemisia anomala, also known as Qingmuxiang, Qingtengxiang, Shecangen, and Duxinggen, is the dried root of the Aristolochiaceae plant Aristolochia contorta. It is mainly produced in Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi, and other regions. Qingmuxiang has the functions of promoting qi circulation, relieving pain, detoxifying, and reducing swelling. It is suitable for treating chest and abdominal pain caused by liver and stomach qi stagnation, diarrhea and abdominal pain, wound pain, skin wet ulcers, and snake bites.
Relieving Pain
Qingmuxiang has a pungent and bitter nature and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It can promote qi circulation, soothe the liver, regulate digestion, and relieve pain. It is effective in treating chest and abdominal distension and pain caused by liver and stomach qi stagnation when taken alone.
Detoxifying
Qingmuxiang has a cold and bitter flavor and can clear heat, detoxify, and expel impurities. Its pungent nature promotes qi circulation and relieves pain. Fresh Qingmuxiang can be juiced and taken orally, or dried Qingmuxiang can be ground into powder and taken, to treat diarrhea and abdominal pain caused by unclean food in the summer and dampness obstruction.
Reducing Swelling
Qingmuxiang has a bitter and cold nature and has the ability to clear heat, dry dampness, detoxify, and reduce swelling. It can be used to treat carbuncle swelling, skin wet ulcers, and snake bites.
Lowering Blood Pressure
Coarse preparations of Qingmuxiang have the effect of reducing blood pressure, and its active ingredient is Magnoflorine.
Inducing Vomiting
The acidic components of Qingmuxiang have the ability to induce vomiting and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Antibacterial
The total alkaloids in Qingmuxiang have different degrees of inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus and various rod-shaped bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus.
Nutritional Value of Qingmuxiang
Qingmuxiang contains volatile oil, with its main component being aristolochinone. It also contains aristolochic acid, allantoin, qingmuxiang acid, magnoflorine, artemisinin, and propolis.
1. The magnoflorine in Qingmuxiang has a significant antihypertensive effect on renal hypertension.
2. The aristolochic acid in Qingmuxiang has inhibitory effects on various bacteria, fungi, and yeast in vitro.
3. The acidic components of Qingmuxiang have the ability to induce vomiting and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Precautions for the Use of Qingmuxiang
1. Excessive intake of Qingmuxiang can cause gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Long-term use can damage kidney function due to the content of aristolochic acid. Therefore, excessive or continuous internal use is not recommended, and it is not suitable for patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold and kidney disease.
2. Qingmuxiang is slightly toxic and should not be used by pregnant women to avoid affecting the fetus.
3. Qingmuxiang can easily damage kidney function, and infants and young children have not fully developed kidney function, so it is not suitable for use.
