The efficacy and function of the gold wire brush

In modern life, everyone is very familiar with various Chinese herbal medicines, among which the gold wire brush is a very common one. So what are the effects and functions of the gold wire brush? Let’s take a look.

【Alias】 Gold brush handle

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the lichen of the plant Acanthopanax spp. of the Meliaceae family.

[Original morphology] The lichen body is loose, shrubby, hard, upright or inclined, 5-7cm high, orange-red, golden rust near the tip, dull, dirty white to khaki at the base, prismatic branches, main branch 0.2-1cm long, base diameter 1-1.5mm, secondary branchlets 1-1.5mm long, 1mm in diameter, pointed tips, with longitudinal ridges on the surface, shiny, mostly dichotomously branched, densely clustered, slender branch tips sometimes with powdery buds. Ascocarp disc-shaped, growing laterally on branches; the ascidian is entire and often has small branches.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: mostly grow on tree branches and shrub branches in high mountains.

【Properties】 The properties identify the lichen shrub type. The branches are spreading, cushion-shaped, orange-red, earthy red or earthy brown. The main branches are about 1 cm long, and the secondary branches are gradually pointed at the top, sometimes hooked. The cortex is wrinkled, cracked and warty, with a ridged grid on the surface; the cortex of the upper branches is incomplete and sometimes has powder buds. The center shaft is light white.

[Chemical composition] Lichen contains norstictic acid, atranorin, haematommic acid, and methyl β-orcinolcarboxylate, the latter two of which may be the decomposition products of atranorin.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; neutral

【Entry】 Heart; Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】Calming the mind; soothing the liver; activating blood circulation; healing sores. Insomnia, epilepsy, vertigo, trauma, burns caused by water or fire

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-12g. For external use: take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply on skin.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the functions of the gold wire brush. When using it, you can use it according to the needs mentioned above. The gold wire brush is also very helpful in treating certain diseases.