The efficacy and function of Kuding

Kuding is a very common Chinese medicine. Although it is very common, it has many magical effects. Let’s take a look at it below.

[Other names] Small mountain radish, Longzhakou (Caomubianfang), Forkhead grass (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica), Moth grass (Chinese Herbal Medicine Newsletter (3): 58, 1972).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Lactuca tabacum, a plant of the Asteraceae family . Harvest in March and April.

[Original form] Annual or biennial herb, 80 to 120 cm tall. The whole thing contains white latex. There are several main roots, which are conical. The stem is single, erect, cylindrical, sparsely hairy and multi-branched at the top. The leaves are alternate, usually sessile, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 7-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, pinnately divided, with serrated edges on the lobes, larger lobes at the tip, slightly inclined on both sides, with sharp or acuminate or obtuse tips, and auricle-shaped base clasping the stem, with serrated edges, green above, light green below, and long hairs on the main veins. The inflorescence is terminal and arranged in a panicle, with a cylindrical involucre; the bracts are arranged in a shingle-like manner, the inner row of bracts are lanceolate and longer, and the outer row of bracts are short; the flowers are light yellow, all ligulate; there are 5 stamens, attached to the corolla tube; the ovary is inferior, the style is slender, and the stigma is 2-lobed. Achenes are oval, flat, black, with a beak at the tip, and white, soft pappus. Flowering period is from May to September.

【Habitat distribution】Grows on roadsides and in wilderness. Distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Taiwan and other places.

【Nature and flavor】 ① "Herbal Prescriptions": "bitter."

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies. Treat scabies, furuncles, carbuncles, and snake bites.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 0.5-1 liang; or soaked in wine. For external use: mash and apply or decoct in water for washing.

[Clinical Application] Treatment of tonsillitis: Use the taproot of unbolted seedlings of moth grass, 3 to 5 qian for fresh ones and 1 to 3 qian for dry ones, decoct in water twice, mix, and take in 3 doses; or make into pills or powder and take, 0.5 to 1 qian each time. According to follow-up observations of 100 cases, patients generally recovered after taking the medicine for 1 to 2 days.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica".

The above is a detailed description of the effects and edible methods of Kuding. Medicines like Kuding are very effective in treating diseases. However, it should be noted that when using Kuding, it needs to be used in moderation and not too much, otherwise it will not be of any benefit to the body.