Qingmuxiang is the root of the plant Aristolochia debilis and Aristolochia manshuriensis in the Aristolochiaceae family. It is a traditional Chinese medicine that promotes Qi circulation and detoxification. It is commonly used in the clinical treatment of abdominal distension, hernia, and other conditions. However, due to the strong nephrotoxicity of Qingmuxiang, extra caution is needed when using it as a medication!
[Functions of Qingmuxiang]
1. Blood pressure-lowering
Crude preparations of Qingmuxiang have a blood pressure-lowering effect, and the active ingredient is magnolol.
2. Inducing vomiting
Its acidic components have emetic effects, causing nausea and vomiting. Its refined extract has no significant effect on intestinal motility.
3. Antibacterial
Total alkaloids of Qingmuxiang have varying degrees of inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris.
4. Enhancing immunity
Aristolochic acid has the function of enhancing immune function and can enhance the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. Studies have shown that Aristolochic acid has certain mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.
[Contraindications of Qingmuxiang]
1. It has mild toxicity. It is used in folk medicine to treat abdominal pain. In clinical practice, small doses of Qingmuxiang are used to treat stomach pain and abdominal pain. Larger doses can cause nausea and vomiting. Long-term use can lead to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it is rarely used to treat hypertension nowadays.
The reason why Qingmuxiang is prohibited is because it has extremely strong nephrotoxicity. Qingmuxiang contains Aristolochic acid, which can cause serious toxic side effects such as acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.
It can cause skin itching, papules, accompanied by abdominal pain, restlessness, chest tightness, dyspnea, watery diarrhea, and other allergic reactions. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal distension, constipation, generalized edema, oliguria, anuria, proteinuria, hematuria, ascites, dizziness, generalized spasms, muscle relaxation, and respiratory depression.
