The efficacy and function of Da Ke Tong

The medical value of Damoutong is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. Akebia contains many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let’s take a look.

[Other names] Jiegudan, white-headed grandfather, yellow vine, loofah vine, small wood vine, lineless

[Source] Medicinal material source: The stems and vines of the Ranunculaceae plant Clematis scabra.

[Original form] Clematis serrata, deciduous vine. The twigs are densely covered with white short hairs, and the bark peels off when old. Leaves are opposite, once pinnate; petiole 3.5-6.5cm long; leaflets usually 5, leaflets ovate or elliptic-ovate, 5-10cm long, 3.5-6.5cm wide, acuminate at apex, base rounded, broadly cuneate or slightly cordate, often with distinct 3 lobes, margins with coarse serrated teeth, both sides covered with short soft hairs, sometimes sparsely or nearly glabrous. Axillary cymes, often with 3-7 flowers; sepals 4, spreading, 2-3.5cm in diameter, white, nearly oblong, 1-1.8cm long, about 5mm wide, obtuse at apex, with short soft hairs on the outside, sometimes nearly glabrous on the inside; petals absent; stamens numerous, glabrous; carpels numerous, pubescent. Achenes are flat-ovoid, 3-4 mm long, with soft hairs; persistent style is feathery, up to 3 cm long. The flowering period is from May to July, and the fruiting period is from July to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in bushes on hillsides or in ravines at an altitude of 450-3200m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: the stem is cylindrical, with a diameter of 1.2-3.5cm, and the thickest can reach 4.5cm. There are 6 thick longitudinal ridges and 6 longitudinal grooves on the surface. Each large longitudinal ridge has multiple thin longitudinal ridges, and each groove has 2 thin longitudinal ridges. The rough skin falls off longitudinally in long flakes. There are 6 indentations in the bark on the cross section, the wood is yellowish white, and the duct holes are relatively large. The cross section of the fresh product contains gray-black or gray-yellow gelatinous substances. It has a faint smell and a slightly bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly bitter; neutral

【Functions and indications】Diuretic; detoxification; anti-rheumatic. It is used to treat urinary incontinence, gonorrhea, milk blockage, sores, boils, swelling and infection, rheumatic joint pain, and limb numbness.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-12g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or decoct it in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction in this article, we can learn some relevant knowledge about Da Mu Tong. Whether from the perspective of food health or traditional Chinese medicine, the role of Da Mu Tong cannot be underestimated.