The efficacy and function of Vitex quinata

Vitex quinata is a common Chinese medicinal material with great health-care effects. It also has certain effects on some diseases. We need to choose it according to our own needs. Many people in our daily life don’t know much about Vitex quinata. Let’s analyze it below.

[Other names] Small vitex fruit (Ben Jing), Vitex maltifera (Bencao Jing Jizhu), Mengzi (Shiyao Erya), Vitex tiaoguo (Yamaxue).

[Source] It is the fruit of the Vitex quinata plant of the Verbenaceae family. The fruits are harvested when ripe between August and September, dried in the sun, and the ash and impurities are removed, then stored in a dry place.

[Original form] Vitex (Guangzhi), also known as: Chu (The Book of Songs), Vitex (Guangya), Puxiang, Wushicao, Tu Chaihu, Mosquito Chaihu, Shanjingmu, Tuchangshan, Milk Dan, Wild Achyranthes, Bujingcao, Mosquito Grass.

[Habitat distribution] Distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou and other places. It is produced in Jiangsu, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan and other places.

[Properties] The dried fruit is pear-shaped or oval, 3-4 mm long, about 2-3 mm in diameter, brown, with a short pointed base and a truncated apex, with indentations where the style has fallen off. The surface is smooth or has inconspicuous vertical lines. Most of them are covered with persistent calyx, the top of the calyx tube is 5-toothed, there are 5 obvious ribs on the outside, and the branches are densely covered with grayish white short hairs. The fruit shell is hard and contains several yellow-white seeds. The smell is faint and the taste is bland.

[Pharmacological action] 25% decoction has anti-Staphylococcus aureus effect in vitro, and has weaker inhibition on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

【Nature and flavor】 Pungent, slightly bitter, warm,

【Meridian】 "Ben Cao Jing Shu": "enters the foot yangming and jueyin meridians."

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and resolve phlegm, relieve gas and relieve pain. Treat cough, asthma, heatstroke, stomachache, hernia, and leucorrhea in women.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 3 qian; grind into powder or soak in wine.

【Note】 "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "Fangji is the messenger. It is afraid of gypsum."

[Additional prescription] ① For treating cold cough and asthmatic cough: 4 liang of Vitex foeniculum villosum. Fry until yellow and grind into powder. Take 2 to 3 grams each time, three times a day, with warm water. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine)

[Clinical Application] Treatment of cough and asthma in children: 22 cases of cough and asthma caused by perennial bronchitis and 36 cases of cough caused by upper respiratory tract infection were observed. The results showed that within 3 to 4 days, the cough and asthma disappeared in 18 and 23 cases respectively, and were significantly relieved in 3 and 7 cases respectively. The rest were ineffective. Among them, 11 cases had complications, 9 of them recovered after treatment, and 2 were ineffective. It is still effective for recurrent cases, but less effective in the acute phase. It is believed that Vitex quinata has the effect of resolving phlegm and relieving asthma, and can promote the absorption of respiratory inflammatory secretions, but its antibacterial effect is not strong. It can relieve symptoms of cough caused by lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia. During the treatment, some children sweated slightly after taking the medicine, but there were no other side effects. Usage: 1.5 liang of Vitex quinata (leaves and seeds), add water and boil into 100 ml, add sugar, take 3 times a day, 10 ml each time. For patients with complications, other Chinese medicines are added based on syndrome differentiation.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】From Tao Hongjing.

Vitex quinata not only has many functions, but also has many ways of consumption in our lives, so it is loved by many people.