The efficacy and function of Gentiana macrophylla

Qinjiao is a very familiar medicinal material with unusual effects and functions. It is the key to cure many diseases. Let's have a deeper understanding of Qinjiao!

【English name】RADIX GENTIANAE MACROPHYLLAE

[Other names] Mahuajiao, Xiaoqinjiao, Dajiao, Xidajiao, Zuotie, Zuotie, Xiqinjiao, Zuoqinjiao, Radish Jiaojiao, Braid Jiaojiao

[Source] This product is the dried root of Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. or Gentiana dahurica Fisch., all of which belong to the Gentianaceae family . The first three types are commonly known as "Qinjiao" and "Mahuajiao" according to their different properties, and the latter is commonly known as "Xiaoqinjiao". Dig up in spring and autumn, remove mud and sand; sun-dry the Gentiana macrophylla and Gentiana tatarica until soft, pile up to "sweat" until the surface turns reddish yellow or grayish yellow, spread out to dry, or directly dry without "sweating"; rub off the black skin of Gentiana macrophylla while it is fresh, and dry it in the sun.

[Properties] Qinjiao: It is cylindrical, thick on the top and thin on the bottom, twisted and not straight, 10 to 30 cm long and 1 to 3 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-brown or gray-yellow, with longitudinal or twisted longitudinal wrinkles, and remnants of the stem base and fibrous leaf sheaths at the top. It is hard and brittle, easy to break, with a slightly oily cross section. The bark is yellow or brownish yellow, and the wood is yellow. It has a peculiar smell and tastes bitter and slightly astringent.

[Identification] (1) Take 2 g of crude powder of this product, add 30 ml of a mixture of chloroform-methanol-concentrated ammonia test solution (75:25:5), soak for 2 hours, filter, concentrate the filtrate on a water bath to about 1 ml, add 2 ml of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid solution, continue to evaporate the chloroform, cool, and filter. Take the filtrate and divide it into two test tubes. Add potassium mercuric iodide test solution to one tube to form a light yellow-white precipitate; add potassium bismuth iodide test solution to the other tube to form a brown-red precipitate.

[Content determination] Determine according to the high performance liquid chromatography method (Appendix Ⅵ D).

[Processing] Remove impurities, wash, soak thoroughly, cut into thick slices, and dry in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】 Pungent, bitter, neutral.

[entry into meridians] Enter the stomach, liver, and gallbladder meridians.

【Functions and indications】Relieve rheumatism, clear away dampness and heat, and relieve pain. It is used for rheumatic pain, muscle and vein spasm, joint pain, evening hot flashes, and fever due to malnutrition in children.

【Usage and Dosage】 3～9g.

【Storage】Place in a ventilated and dry place.

[Remarks] (1) The medicinal property is moist but not dry, and it can be used regardless of whether the symptoms are new or long-term. In terms of compatibility, it is often used together with Saposhnikovia divaricata, Qianghuo, Duhuo, and Sangzhi. In addition, this product is often used together with wind-dispelling and exterior-resolving drugs to treat symptoms of body aches and pains due to exterior syndrome. For the treatment of damp-heat jaundice, it is often used in combination with Artemisia capillaris, Poria cocos, and Alisma orientalis. For the treatment of bone steaming and hot flashes, it is often used in combination with turtle shell, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and Rehmannia root bark.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] "Ben Jing"

The above is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal material Qinjiao. For medicinal herbs that we don't understand, we should learn more about them so that we can make full use of them in our lives and not be at a loss.