Qingmuxiang is the dried root of the Aristolochia debilis, a plant in the Aristolochiaceae family. Its root contains a slight toxin and is used in medicine for its effects of soothing the liver, relieving pain, detoxification, and reducing swelling. Let's take a look at the usage of Qingmuxiang below!
Qingmuxiang contains volatile oil, with the main component being aristolochic ketone. It also contains aristolochic acid, qingmuxiang acid, magnoflorine, aristolactam, and propylamine, among others.
A decoction of Qingmuxiang has a significant blood pressure-lowering effect on hypertension caused by various reasons. The magnoflorine it contains has a notable antihypertensive effect on renal hypertension.
Total alkaloids of Qingmuxiang have varying degrees of inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris, and can enhance the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, thereby enhancing immune function.
In addition, Qingmuxiang has anticancer, sedative, emetic, and vermifuge effects. However, it is worth noting that Qingmuxiang is highly toxic and has been banned for use.
The reason for the ban on the use of Qingmuxiang is because it has significant renal toxicity. Medicinal materials such as Qingmuxiang contain aristolochic acid, which can cause serious toxic side effects such as acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.
The National Medical Products Administration has officially announced that traditional Chinese medicine preparations containing "Qingmuxiang" have had their medicinal standards revoked due to the potential adverse reactions such as kidney damage. These medicines will no longer be available on the market.
Currently, Qingmuxiang is replaced by Guangmuxiang in prescription formulations. If Qingmuxiang must be used, it should be used under the guidance of a qualified physician.
Dosage and treatment duration should be strictly controlled, and the monitoring of renal tubular and glomerular function should be emphasized during treatment. However, caution should be exercised in the use of Qingmuxiang in children and the elderly. Pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with renal dysfunction should refrain from taking it.
