Qingmuxiang is the dried root of Aristolochia contorta, a plant in the Aristolochiaceae family. Its root is slightly toxic, and it is used in traditional Chinese medicine to soothe the liver, relieve pain, detoxify, and reduce swelling. Let's now learn about the medicinal uses of Qingmuxiang!
【Precautions for Using Qingmuxiang】
The reason for avoiding the use of Qingmuxiang is that it has significant nephrotoxicity. Qingmuxiang and other medicinal herbs contain aristolochic acid, which can cause severe toxic side effects such as acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.
The China Food and Drug Administration has officially announced that traditional Chinese medicine preparations containing Qingmuxiang have had their medicinal standards revoked due to the potential kidney damage and other adverse reactions. As a result, these medicines will be withdrawn from the market.
Currently, Guangmuxiang is used as a substitute for Qingmuxiang in prescriptions. If Qingmuxiang must be used, it should be done under the guidance of a qualified physician.
It is important to strictly control the dosage and treatment duration, and monitor the function of the renal tubules and glomeruli during the treatment. However, it should be used with caution in children and the elderly. Pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with impaired renal function should not take it.
【Medicinal Uses of Qingmuxiang】
For treating boils: Take fresh Qingmuxiang and chop it into pieces, then mix it with an appropriate amount of honey and apply it to the affected area.
For treating toothache: Take a piece of fresh Qingmuxiang and bite on it at the site of the toothache.
For treating hypertension: Take two liang (approximately 60 grams) of fresh Qingmuxiang root, decoct it in water, and drink it with brown sugar.
For treating snake bites: Take one liang (approximately 30 grams) of dried Qingmuxiang root and two liang (approximately 60 grams) of Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica). Grind them into powder, take three qian (approximately 9 grams) of the mixture, and consume it with sweet wine or warm water. Additionally, use an appropriate amount of the mixture to apply to the wound.
For treating heatstroke-induced abdominal pain: Take three to five qian (approximately 9 to 15 grams) of fresh Qingmuxiang root, grind it into juice, and drink it with warm water. Alternatively, take one to two qian (approximately 3 to 6 grams) of Qingmuxiang root powder, and consume it with warm water.
