The efficacy and function of Niuwangfeijincao

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Niuwangfeijincao.

[Other names] Siegesbeckia, mountain licorice, Daheilifeisan, Tuxu, Siegesbeckia, white cohosh, lantern qinjiao

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb with roots of the Lamiaceae plant.

[Original form] Southern rough sedge, perennial herb, up to 150cm tall. Roots thickened, fibrous roots fleshy. The stem is much branched, quadrangular, with shallow grooves, sparsely covered with short stiff hairs that extend downwards, often with purple-red. Leaves are opposite; with long petioles; the leaf blades are thin, nearly circular, round-ovate to ovate-oblong, with crenate-serrated edges, and the teeth at the top are sometimes much longer. Verticillaster inflorescence, numerous, born on the main stem and branches; bracts herbaceous, linear-lanceolate, slightly shorter than calyx; calyx tubular, about 10mm long, stellate pubescent on the outside, with small spikes at the end of the teeth, and tufts of hairs on the edge; corolla usually pink, lower lip often with red spots, crown brim two-lipped, upper lip bearded from the inside, lower lip glabrous on the inside, 3-lobed, middle lobe larger. Stamens 4, included, filaments glabrous, without appendages. Nutlets glabrous. The flowering period is from June to September, and the fruiting period is from August to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on hillsides, bushes, grasslands and ditch edges at an altitude of 1600-3200m.

[Properties] Characteristic identification: the stem is quadrangular, with shallow grooves, sparsely covered with short stiff hairs pointing downwards. The leaves are nearly round, with long petioles and crenate-like serrations on the margins. The stems and leaves are sparsely covered with stellate hairs. It has a slight fragrance and a slightly astringent taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly bitter; pungent; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and relieve cough; promote blood circulation and dredge meridians; detoxify and reduce swelling. It is mainly used for colds, coughs, rheumatic pain, weakness of waist and knees, bruises and swellings, fractures, sores, carbuncles and swellings.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-12g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a brief introduction to the medicinal value of Ox King Fei Jin Cao. For most people in real life, there is no need to worry about side effects when using Ox King Fei Jin Cao to treat diseases. Therefore, using Niuwangfeijincao to treat diseases is an effective and practical treatment method, and it has been widely used in clinical practice.