The efficacy and function of Mangosteen root

Mangcao root 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] Red fennel root, old root, star anise root, lanceolate fennel root

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root or root bark of Fennel, a plant of the Illicium family.

[Original form] Evergreen shrub or small tree, 3-10m high. The bark and old branches are gray-brown. Simple leaves are alternate or clustered; petiole is 7-15mm long; leaves are leathery, lanceolate, oblanceolate or elliptic, 6-15cm long, 1.5-4.5cm wide, with apex tail or acuminate, base narrow cuneate, and entire margin. The edges are slightly curled, hairless, green and shiny above, and light green below. Flowers are axillary or nearly terminal, solitary or 2-3 clustered in leaf axils; pedicels are 1.5-5 cm long; tepals are 10-15, red to dark red, the largest one is 7-12 mm long and 5-8 mm wide; stamens are 6-11; carpels are 10-13, 3.9-5.3 mm long, and styles are erect, subulate, and 2-3.3 mm long. The fruit stalk is 5.5 cm long, rarely up to 8 cm; (艸骨)(艸凸) fruits are 10-13, woody, with a long and curved tip at the tip. The seeds are light brown, 7-7.5mm long and 5mm wide. The flowering period is May-June, and the fruiting period is August-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in mixed forests or sparse forests along the banks of rivers and on both sides of shady and moist valleys.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The root is cylindrical, often irregularly curved, with a diameter of 2-3cm. The surface is rough, brown in color, with obvious transverse cracks and longitudinal wrinkles. Some corks are easy to peel off, revealing the reddish-brown skin. It is hard and not easy to break. The cross section is light brown, the woody part occupies most of the root, and the annual rings are visible. It has a fragrant smell and acrid taste. poisonous. The root bark is in irregular pieces, slightly curled, 1-2mm thick, brown on the outside, with longitudinal wrinkles and a few transverse cracks; the inner surface is reddish brown, smooth, with longitudinal texture. The texture is hard and brittle, the cross section is slightly neat, the smell is fragrant, and the taste is spicy and astringent. poisonous. It is best if the roots and root bark are dry and free of mud.

[Pharmacological action] 1. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect: Intraperitoneal injection of 5% water extract of red fennel root has a significant therapeutic effect on ankle joint swelling caused by egg white in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of 5% red fennel root extract (20 ml/kg) into mice increased the pain threshold by 84.3%, indicating that this product has a significant analgesic effect.

[Toxicity] The results of intravenous injection of red fennel root injection into rats showed that the maximum lethal dose for female rats was 1111 ± 94.0 mg/kg, and for male rats it was 2212 ± 338.4 mg/kg. Acute poisoning from fennel root appears to first suppress breathing and then affect heart function. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml of the aqueous extract (containing 0.2 g of the crude drug) into mice caused acute poisoning and death. Pathological sections showed: myocardial cells were turbid and swollen, blood vessels were dilated and congested, and inflammatory cells were infiltrated; alveolar congestion, blood vessels were significantly dilated; hepatocytes were turbid and swollen, the liver was congested, and some cells showed fatty degeneration; the glomerular structure was relatively intact, the renal tubular cells were turbid and swollen and degenerated, and the renal blood vessels were congested.

[Processing] Take the original medicinal material, remove impurities, wash, soak, slice and dry; if it is root bark, cut into sections. Properties of medicinal materials: See "Identification of medicinal materials".

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; warm; toxic

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness; disperse blood stasis and relieve pain. It is mainly used for rheumatic pain, joint and muscle pain, lumbar muscle strain, traumatic injury, carbuncle and swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 3-6g; grind into powder, 0.3-0.9g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or soak it in wine and apply it.

【Note】 Pregnant women should not take this medicine; those with Yin deficiency and no blood stasis should take it with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the detailed introduction of Mangosteen root in this article, we can learn about the related functions and eating methods of Mangosteen root. The value of Mangcao root can be seen from its efficacy, which fully reflects the importance of Mangcao root.