Qingmuxiang is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine in the form of rhizomes. Although it has the effects of dispelling wind, promoting diuresis, clearing heat, and detoxifying, it is important to note that Qingmuxiang is slightly toxic. The dosage and usage are crucial to prevent harm to the body.
[Medicinal Effects of Qingmuxiang]
Qingmuxiang contains volatile oils, with the main component being aristolochic ketone. It also contains aristolochic acid, Qingmuxiang acid, magnolol alkaloid, isomagnolol alkaloid, and propyl alcohol.
Qingmuxiang has the effects of promoting qi circulation, soothing the liver, relieving pain, and harmonizing the stomach. It can treat chest and rib pain caused by liver and stomach qi stagnation, and abdominal pain. It can be taken alone or used in combination with Xiangfu, Chuanlianzi, and Foshou.
The decoction of Qingmuxiang has a significant hypotensive effect on hypertension caused by various reasons. The magnolol alkaloid it contains has a significant antihypertensive effect on renal hypertension.
Qingmuxiang alkaloids have different degrees of inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris, and can enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages in the abdominal cavity, thus enhancing immune function. In addition, it also has anticancer, sedative, emetic, and anthelmintic effects.
[Differences Between Qingmuxiang and Muxiang]
Muxiang is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical, with a length between five to ten centimeters and a diameter between 0.5 to five centimeters. Its surface is grayish-brown or brownish-yellow, hard in texture, and not easily broken. The cross section is brown to dark brown, with a slightly bitter taste.
Qingmuxiang is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical with longitudinal grooves, slightly curved, with a length between ten to thirty centimeters and a diameter between one to three centimeters.
Muxiang is mainly used for promoting qi circulation and relieving pain. Its nature is warm and it is suitable for treating conditions of deficient-cold qi stagnation, cold congealing qi stagnation, and damp stagnation of qi. If the blockage of qi is caused by heat, it should be used in combination with cold-natured herbs.
On the other hand, Qingmuxiang has a cold nature. In addition to promoting qi circulation and relieving pain, it can also calm the liver, suppress wind, detoxify, and reduce swelling. It is suitable for treating qi stagnation conditions caused by heat.
[Toxicity and Contraindications of Qingmuxiang]
Qingmuxiang is slightly toxic. It is commonly used in folk medicine for treating abdominal pain. In clinical practice, it is also used in small doses to treat stomach pain and abdominal pain.
However, larger doses can cause nausea and vomiting. Prolonged use can lead to kidney toxicity. Therefore, it is rarely used for the treatment of hypertension nowadays, and it has been replaced by Tumuxiang.
Toxic reactions: Qingmuxiang contains aristolochic acid, and its crude preparation has kidney toxicity, although slightly lower than aristolochic acid. It should be used with caution in patients with deficient-cold conditions.
"Tang Bencao": "Do not take it excessively, as it may cause persistent vomiting and diarrhea."
"Benjing Fengyuan": "For lung cold cough, cold phlegm asthma, and weak stomach with loss of appetite, do not take it, as it can cause excessive dispersion due to its pungent and aromatic properties."
