The role of Tongcao

Tongcao is the stem pith of the Tongtu wood plant of the Araliaceae family. It grows in well-sunned and fertile soil at an altitude of about 2800 meters. It is distributed throughout southwest my country. In autumn, select plants that are more than 3 years old, find suitable wood stems to cut, and then cut them into sections while they are fresh. You can use a thin wooden stick or a round bamboo tube to take out the pith, carefully straighten it, and place it in a ventilated and dry place to dry.

[Supplementary information on Tongcao]: According to different processing methods, it can be divided into Tongcao and Tongcao processed with cinnabar. After processing, it is stored in a dry container in a ventilated and dry place to prevent moisture.

[Tongcao is suitable for people] People with Qi and Yin deficiency, cold in the middle, no damp heat in the body, and pregnant women should take it with caution.

The functions and effects of Tongcao include clearing away heat and detoxifying; soothing the liver and improving eyesight; relieving alcohol; treating jaundice caused by damp-heat; diarrhea caused by summer-dampness; convulsions; red eyes and cataracts; throat paralysis; nasal erosion; furuncle; hemorrhoids; malnutrition; ascariasis and various types of bleeding.

"Compendium of Materia Medica" records: Tongcao tastes bitter and is cold in nature. It enters the liver, gallbladder and heart meridians. It is non-toxic and can clear away heat, calm the liver, promote bile secretion, improve eyesight and kill insects.

Tongcao is a very good Chinese herbal medicine with a wide range of applications. It can be used to treat nasal congestion, clearing heat and promoting diuresis, cold syndrome, short and red urine or dribbling and painful urine caused by internal accumulation of damp heat, etc. Many female friends also often use Tongcao to boil it with crucian carp or pig's feet to promote lactation during lactation, and the effect is very good.