The efficacy and function of dog tooth root

Dogtooth Root is a famous traditional commonly used Chinese medicinal material in my country with a long history of application. Today we will learn about dog's tooth root.

[Other names] Iron wire grass, trip root grass, cutting grass, horse handle, walking etiquette, cow and horse root, horse root grass, ground grass, copper wire gold, iron wire grass, chicken intestine grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Bermuda grass of the Poaceae family.

[Original form] Dogtooth Root is a perennial herb. The fibrous roots are thin and tough, with horizontal rhizomes and creeping stems, with nodes, and rooting everywhere. The culm is erect, 10-30cm high. The leaf sheath has ridges and the sheath mouth is usually pubescent; the leaf blades are linear, alternate, and those at the bottom are opposite due to shortened internodes, 1-6cm long and 1-3cm wide. The spike inflorescence is arranged in a finger-like manner at the top of the stem, 1.5-5 cm long, with spikelets gray-green or purple, flattened on both sides, usually 1 floret, sessile, and arranged in two rows imbricately on one side of the spike axis, 2-2.5 mm long; the glumes are nearly equal in length, 1.5-2 mm long, with 1 ridged vein shorter than the lemma; the lemma has 3 veins; the anthers are yellow or purple, 1-1.5 mm long. Flowering and fruiting period is from May to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows in wilderness, roadsides and grasslands.

[Cultivation] Biological characteristics: Wiregrass has strong adaptability and can grow under general conditions. It is drought-resistant and cold-resistant. It is not very demanding on soil, but it is better to choose a place with loose, fertile and moist soil for planting.

【Properties】 Identification of properties: The rhizome of this product is slender and bamboo whip-like. The creeping stem part can reach 1m in length, and the erect stem part can be 10-30cm long. The leaves are linear, 1-6 cm long and 1-3 cm wide; the leaf sheaths are ridged and the sheath mouth is usually pubescent. It has a faint smell and a slightly bitter taste.

[Pharmacological action] 1. Antibacterial effect: The whole herb extract can increase the phagocytic index of phagocytes in in vitro tests. However, extracts from its young branches did not show antibacterial effects. This product produces cyanic acid, which can sometimes cause poisoning in livestock if eaten.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; slightly sweet; cool

【Meridian】 Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and activate collaterals; cool blood and stop bleeding; detoxify. It is used to treat rheumatic pain, hemiplegia, vomiting blood due to overwork, epistaxis, blood in stool, traumatic injury, sores and swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 30-60g; or soak in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Although dogtooth root has many magical effects, it cannot be eaten casually. We need to use the medicine according to the user's own situation. I hope everyone will not take it indiscriminately to avoid unnecessary consequences.