Effects and functions of Achyranthes bidentata

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Guanmutong?

【English name】 CAULIS ARISTOLOCHIAE MANSHURIENSIS

[Other names] Aristolochia affine, Akebia affine, Akebia affine, Akebia trifoliata

[Source] This product is the dried vine stem of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom., a plant of the Aristolochiaceae family . Harvested in autumn and winter, the rough skin is removed and the fruit is sun-dried.

[Properties] This product is long cylindrical, slightly twisted, 1 to 2 meters long and 1 to 6 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish yellow or brownish yellow, with shallow longitudinal grooves and brown spots of residual rough skin. The node is slightly swollen and has a branch mark. It is light, hard and not easy to break. The cross section is yellow or light yellow. The bark is thin, the wood is broad, and there are multiple layers of ducts arranged in neat rings. The rays are radiating and the pith is not obvious. The remaining rough skin after rubbing has a camphor-like odor. It has a faint smell and a bitter taste.

【Identification】 (1) The powder of this product is light yellow. The fiber tracheids are mostly in bundles, long and prismatic, with a diameter of 11 to 20 μm, and the walls have obvious marginal pits, and the pit openings are oblique slit-like or intersecting into a cross shape. The diameter of the separating fibers is 21 to 42 μm, and the twill pores are obvious. Stone cells are rare, square or polygonal in shape, and have thick walls. The diameter of calcium oxalate cluster crystals is about 40μm. The margined pit vessels are large, with a diameter of about 328 μm, mostly broken, and the margined pits are circular and closely arranged; the margined pit tracheids are rare.

[Preparation] Wash, soak briefly, moisten thoroughly, cut into thin slices, and dry in the sun. This product is a round thin slice with yellow or yellowish white surface. The xylem is broad, the vascular pores are large, the multiple layers are arranged in a ring-like pattern like a sieve, the rays are light in color, and the pith is not obvious. The periphery is grayish yellow and rough. Lightweight and hard. It has a faint smell and a bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, cold; poisonous.

[return through] heart, small intestine, bladder meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Clears heart fire, promotes urination, regulates menstruation and promotes lactation. It is used for sores in the mouth and tongue, restlessness and red urine, edema, painful and astringent stranguria caused by heat, leucorrhea, amenorrhea, oligolactosis, and pain caused by damp-heat.

【Usage and Dosage】 3 to 6 g.

【Note】 Do not use frequently or for long periods of time. People with renal insufficiency and pregnant women should not take it.

【Storage】Place in ventilated and dry place.

[Remarks] (1) It is an important medicine for treating damp-heat invasion, stranguria and painful bleeding. It is often used together with Plantago seed and Talcum powder. It also has a strong diuretic effect and is often used as an important medicine for symptoms such as urinary difficulty, edema, and athlete's foot. It can be used together with other diuretic and anti-edema medicines such as mulberry bark and Poria cocos. It is used for symptoms such as heart fire inflammation, restlessness and red urine, mouth and tongue ulcers, etc. It is often used together with raw rehmannia, bamboo leaves, and licorice. It is used for postpartum low milk supply, often used in combination with king crab, pangolin, etc.; or cooked with pig's trotters and taken. It is used to treat damp-heat pain and joint discomfort, and is often used in combination with coix seed, mulberry branch, honeysuckle vine, etc.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

【Source】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

I believe that through the detailed introduction of Guanmutong in this article, everyone can understand the efficacy and medicinal properties of Guanmutong. I hope this helps you all.