The Chinese medicinal herb Elephantopus scaber is an annual herb, 8-15 centimeters tall. It belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is collected in summer and autumn, washed, and dried. Its taste is sweet and mild, and it is neutral in nature. What are the effects and contraindications of Elephantopus scaber? Let's find out together!
Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber
Alias: Grass shoe root, grass shoe sole, earth gallbladder head, ground gallbladder grinder, bitter gallbladder, bitter earth gallbladder (Yunnan), lung-clearing powder, cow eating pu, cow nose support, iron lantern.
Source: It is a plant of the genus Elephantopus in the family Asteraceae. The whole herb is used as medicine. It is harvested in summer and autumn, and the impurities are removed, washed, and dried or used fresh.
Taste: Bitter, cool.
1. "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Tastes bitter."
2. "Essential Information on Medicinal Herb Properties": "Tastes spicy, neutral in nature."
3. "Nanning Pharmaceutical Annals": "Bitter, cold, non-toxic."
4. "Folk Medicinal Herbs of Southern Fujian": "Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic."
Meridian Tropism: 1. "Quanzhou Materia Medica": "Enters the lungs and liver meridians."
2. "Materia Medica of Eastern Fujian": "Enters the lungs, spleen, and liver meridians."
Effects and Functions of Elephantopus scaber in Chinese Medicine
Elephantopus scaber
It cools the blood, clears heat, promotes diuresis, and detoxifies. It is used to treat nosebleeds, jaundice, urinary tract infections, athlete's foot, edema, carbuncles, boils, and snake bites.
1. "Essential Information on Medicinal Herb Properties": "Dispels sores, cools the blood, disinfects, and relieves phlegm. It is also effective for stopping bleeding and treating intestinal bleeding."
2. "Supplementary Notes on Compendium of Materia Medica": "Leaves: Can be applied to treat hot toxic sores."
3. "Guangzhou Flora": "Used to treat damp-heat."
4. "Folk Medicinal Herbs of Fujian": "Diuretic and relieves swelling."
5. "Nanning Pharmaceutical Annals": "Leaves: Applied to treat hot toxic sores, breast abscesses, and injuries."
6. "Guangxi Flora": "Clears heat and detoxifies. It is used to treat heat diseases, apply as a poultice to treat hot sores, and make a decoction for rinsing and internal use to treat membrane growth on the eyes."
7. "Materia Medica of Eastern Fujian": "Warms the spleen, promotes diuresis, regulates the middle burner, and relieves downward qi. It is used to treat edema, abdominal distension, cough, malnutrition, and hernia."
Usage and Dosage of Elephantopus scaber
Internal use: Decoction, 9-15 grams (fresh: 30-60 grams) or mashed and extracted juice.
External use: Mashed and applied or decoction for rinsing.
Contraindications of Elephantopus scaber
1. "Nanning Pharmaceutical Annals": "Not suitable for those with physical weakness."
2. "Guangxi Flora": "Do not use for cold conditions."
3. "Quanzhou Materia Medica": "Pregnant women should use with caution."
