The efficacy and function of tongtongcao

Gengtongcao is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines in our country. The medicinal history of Gengtongcao is very long. There are records of Gengtongcao in many ancient medical books. Gengtongcao has good edible value and medicinal value. Let’s take a look.

[Other names] Baigengtong (Bencao Zhengyi), Yetongcao, Qitongcao, Shuitongcao (Jiangsu Chinese Medicine Names and Realities).

[Source] It is the xylem of the stem of the leguminous plant Gleditsia sinensis . Harvest from September to October. Uproot the plant, remove the branches, leaves, roots and top part of the stem, peel off the stem bark, take out the pith-like xylem and dry it in the sun.

【Original morphology】For details about the plant morphology, please refer to the entry for "合萌".

[Habitat distribution] Mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other places.

[Properties] The woody part of the dry stem is cylindrical, tapering at the top and 1 to 2 cm in diameter; the surface is smooth with fine vertical and horizontal textures, milky white, light and soft, the broken surface is white, uneven, and has a small hole in the center; sometimes the base of the stem has brown-yellow fibrous roots. The best ones are thick, soft, white and dry.

[Preparation] Remove dust and root residues, wash with water, soak for 4 to 5 hours, cut into oblique slices, and dry in the sun.

【Properties and flavors】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "light taste, clear smell."

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, promotes dampness, relieves stranguria and promotes lactation. Treat edema, stranguria, thirst due to fever, red and astringent urine, and lack of milk.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 2 qian.

【Note】 "New Reference for Medicinal Pieces": "People with frequent urination should avoid using this medicine."

[Discussions by various scholars] "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Bai Geng Tong has a light taste and a clear smell, and its functions are the same as Bai Tong Cao. There is no difference in the efficacy of the two as medicines, so it is advisable."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "New References to Medicinal Pieces"

Above, we introduced the herb and its characteristics. We can know that herb has very good efficacy and function, and it has played a therapeutic and auxiliary therapeutic role in many diseases. I hope this will be helpful to everyone’s health.