Effects and functions of Patchouli

Patchouli 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 Patchouli. Let’s analyze Patchouli below.

[Source] It is the whole herb of Patchouli or Agastache rugosa , plants of the Lamiaceae family. Patchouli is harvested when it grows luxuriantly between June and July. In Hainan area, it is harvested twice a year, the first time in May and June, and the second time in September and October. The roots and soil are removed, the herbs are dried in the sun for 2 to 3 days, piled up, and kept in a cool place for 2 days before being dried again. The herbs are kept in a cool place again, and the piles are dried in this way until they are dry. Patchouli is harvested for the first time when it blooms in June or July, and the second time is in October. After harvesting, dry in the sun or in the shade. If only the old stems are used, the medicinal material is called "Huo Geng".

[Original form] ① Patchouli, also known as: patchouli.

【Properties】 ① Patchouli

[Chemical composition] Patchouli contains about 1.5% volatile oil, the main component of which is patchouli alcohol, accounting for about 52-57%; other components include benzaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, patchouli azulene, patchouli pyridine, and epiguaiapyridine; there are also many other sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene, β-elemene, allobellene, γ-patchoulene, β-guarene, α-guaiacene, valencene, α-guarene, γ-bitterpene, δ-guaiacene, α-patchoulene, dihydrocortisone, etc.

【Pharmacological action】 ① Antifungal effect

[Preparation] Patchouli: Pick out impurities, remove residual roots and old stems, pick the leaves and put them aside first, moisten the stems with water, cut into sections, dry them, and then mix them with the leaves. Patchouli: Take old stems, soak them thoroughly in water, slice them and dry them in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy, slightly warm.

[entry into meridians] Enters the lung, spleen and stomach meridians.

【Functions and indications】Relieves qi, harmonizes the stomach, eliminates filth and removes dampness. Treat colds, heat and dampness, chills and fever, headaches, chest and abdominal distension, vomiting and diarrhea, malaria, dysentery, and bad breath.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 1.5 to 3 qian; or made into pills or powder. For external use: decoct in water and gargle; or burn the essence and grind into powder for application.

【Note】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "This method is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire, weak stomach and nausea, stomach heat and nausea, excessive fire and extreme heat in the middle burner, febrile disease, and nausea and bloating caused by evil in the Yangming stomach."

[Additional prescription] ① Treating headache caused by typhoid fever, chills and fever, wheezing and coughing, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and cholera, rumbling sounds in the internal organs, mountain mist and malaria, swelling all over the body, stabbing pain in the blood and qi before and after childbirth, and malnutrition in children: one liang each of dried tangerine peel, white angelica, perilla, and poria (peeled), two liang each of pinellia tuber, white atractylodes, tangerine peel (remove the white part), Magnolia officinalis (remove the rough skin and roast with ginger juice), and bitter stem, three liang of patchouli (remove the soil), and two and a half liang of liquorice (roasted). Grind the above ingredients into fine powder, take 2 qian each time, add a cup of water, three slices of ginger and a date, boil together until 70% done, drink while hot. If you feel like sweating, cover yourself with clothes and quilt, then boil and take the medicine. (Huoxiang Zhengqi Powder from the Bureau of Prescriptions)

【Discussions by various scholars】 ①《Pharmaceutical Chemistry》: "Agastache rugosa has a fragrant aroma and is good at promoting stomach qi. It can regulate the middle and treat vomiting and cholera. It can also relieve qi and eliminate filth and stuffiness. Moreover, the fragrance can harmonize the five internal organs. If the spleen and stomach are not in harmony, it can help the stomach and eat, and it has the effect of awakening the spleen and appetizing. The pungent smell can open up the nine orifices. If it is used in malaria and epidemics, it will prevent external evil from invading the inside and has the power to control the positive qi. Among all the qi medicines, this one is the only one that is light in body and warm in nature. It can greatly protect qi and nourish the lungs and stomach. However, the leaves belong to yang and are things that produce life. They are sharp in nature and have a scattered fragrance. It is not suitable to take too much."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Ming Yi Bie Lu".

Through the above introduction, I found that Patchouli has so many pharmacological effects, and it also has good effects on some diseases. In fact, there may be many "treasures" around our lives, but most of the time we don’t have a heart that is good at discovering them.