What are the main effects of the three needles?

Three needles are a kind of plant-based Chinese medicinal material, which is generally common in the mountains. The medicinal value is very high and the taste is a bit bitter. The three needles can be picked and dried and processed for consumption. Three needles are cold food. Taking three needles can effectively treat dryness and dampness in the body, and can also effectively relieve jaundice, liver fire, etc. It can also be used externally to treat local redness and swelling of the skin and can stop bleeding.

The efficacy and function of the three needles

1. Clear away heat and dampness

The three needles taste bitter and are cold in nature. The bitterness can dry out dampness, and the coldness can clear away heat, so they have the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness. Used for jaundice, dysentery, sore throat and other symptoms.

2. Clear the liver and improve eyesight

The liver opens up to the eyes. Liver fire attacks the eyes, causing red, swollen and painful eyes, photophobia, tearing, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, yellow tongue coating and rapid pulse. The three needles enter the liver meridian, are bitter in taste and cold in nature, and can clear and reduce liver fire, so they are the main treatment.

3. Disperse blood stasis and reduce swelling

In the early stage of trauma, there is internal blood stasis, poor blood flow, and local redness, swelling, heat and pain. The three needles enter the blood, cool the blood and stop bleeding, disperse blood stasis and reduce swelling. It is suitable for those with blood heat and stasis.

The medicinal value of three needles

【Drug name】Three needles

[Other names] Copper needle pricking (Tianbao Materia Medica), prickly coptis (Guizhou Medicinal Plant Catalogue).

[Medicinal part] Root bark or stem bark of Berberidaceae plants such as Berberis spinosa, Berberis hairy-leaved, and Berberis chinensis.

【Nature and flavor】Bitter, cold.

【entry into meridians】Liver, stomach and large intestine meridians.

【Effects】Clears away heat, promotes dampness and disperses blood stasis.

[Main indications] Treat dysentery, jaundice, sore throat, red eyes, and bruises.

[Preparation method] Take the stems and branches, scrape off the outer skin, peel off the dark yellow inner skin, and dry in the shade.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 0.5-30g; or soak in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply on the affected area.

[Precautions for use] Use with caution in patients with weak spleen and stomach.