The efficacy and function of the thorny horsewhip

The spiked horsewhip is a traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to the effects we know in daily life, the spiked horsewhip actually has many other effects and functions. Let’s take a look at them right away.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root or root bark of Zhejiang scorpion grass, a plant of the Urticaceae family.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 1-1.5m high. The stem is often quadrangular, upright and branched, and the stem and petiole are covered with white procumbent hairs and sharp thorn-like stinging hairs. Leaves are alternate; with long petioles; leaf blades are broadly ovate to round, 7-20cm long, 6-15cm wide, often 3-lobed to deeply lobed at the tip, with lobes nearly ovate to triangular, with long pointed tips and coarse serrations on the edges, base cuneate to cordate, and both sides covered with coarse white hairs. Flowers are unisexual; monoecious, inflorescences are axillary and arranged in spike-like panicles, with female inflorescences often growing in the upper part; male perianth has 4-5 lobes, 4-5 stamens; female flower has 3 tepals, often combined into a tube, with 3 teeth on the margin, containing 1 pistil, and the outside of the tepals are covered with white coarse hairs. Achenes ovate or nearly round. The flowering period is June-July, and the fruiting period is September-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in the shade and moist places under the hillside forest at an altitude of about 300m or in the grass on the slope edge of the forest.

[Pharmacological action] 1. Effect on the coagulation system: Intraperitoneal injection of 10g/kg of Zhejiang scorpion grass root extract (GI), scorpion grass root extract (GⅡ) and palm leaf scorpion grass root extract (GⅢ) respectively showed that GI and GⅢ had a significant effect on prolonging the coagulation time of mice. 5g/kg and 10g/kg of GⅠ, GⅡ and GⅢ were injected intraperitoneally respectively. The results showed that the three scorpion grass root extracts all had the effect of significantly prolonging the tail-cut bleeding time of mice. 1g/kg of GⅠ, GⅡ and GⅢ were injected intraperitoneally. The three scorpion grass root extracts all had the effect of significantly prolonging the rat white clay partial thromboplastin time (KPTT) and thrombin time (TT). GI also had the effect of prolonging the prothrombin time (PT).

【Nature and flavor】 Pungent; bitter; warm

【Functions and indications】Removing blood stasis and activating blood circulation; reducing swelling. Mainly used for traumatic injuries; hemorrhoidal swelling and pain; early stage of sores and carbuncles; insect and snake bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 3-15g. For external use: Take appropriate amount of fresh root and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

In order to let more friends know about the barbed horsewhip, you can introduce it to your friends so that more people will know how to use this medicine.