Gu Jian Yu, also known as Wei Mao or Ghost Arrow, refers to the wing-like branches or appendages of the plant Wei Mao in the family of Cardiospermum halicacabum. It is found in various regions in northeastern, northern, northwestern China, and the Yangtze River basin. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, detoxification, reducing swelling, and killing insects. It can treat conditions such as abdominal pain, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain, retained lochia, hernia, ulcers, bruises, intestinal colic, burns, and snake bites.
Promoting Blood Circulation and Regulating Menstruation
Gu Jian Yu can promote the circulation of blood vessels, improve blood flow, and disperse blood stasis. Its ability to promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis is particularly strong, making it effective in treating conditions such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain, and retained lochia.
Detoxification and Reducing Swelling
Gu Jian Yu can counteract toxins, treat wounds, and reduce swelling. It is effective against bruises, burns, snake bites, and rabies.
Insecticidal
Gu Jian Yu has the ability to kill and paralyze intestinal parasites, promoting their elimination from the body. It can treat abdominal pain caused by intestinal parasites and parasitic diseases.
Regulating Blood Lipids
Gu Jian Yu can lower cholesterol and increase the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, thereby regulating lipid metabolism and reducing the severity of atherosclerotic lesions.
Lowering Blood Sugar
The sodium oxalate acetyl in Gu Jian Yu can promote the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells, shrink α-cells, and enhance insulin secretion, thereby lowering blood sugar.
Cardiotonic
Gu Jian Yu has a cardiotonic effect and can dilate coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels, promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. It can assist in the treatment of coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and myocarditis.
Nutritional Value of Gu Jian Yu
Gu Jian Yu mainly contains cardioside in Wei Mao, sodium oxalate acetyl, and other components. The seed oil contains saturated fatty acids, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, acetic acid, caproic acid, and benzoic acid. Other components in the leaves include triterpene alcohols, triterpenes, quercetin, and Wei Mao alcohol.
1. The cardioside in Gu Jian Yu has a cardiotonic effect.
2. The sodium oxalate acetyl component extracted from Gu Jian Yu decoction has a hypoglycemic effect.
Precautions for Using Gu Jian Yu
1. Gu Jian Yu promotes blood circulation and has a strong effect on resolving blood stasis. It should be avoided by individuals with bleeding tendencies.
2. Pregnant women should avoid consuming Gu Jian Yu. It has a strong blood-breaking effect and may cause miscarriage.
