The efficacy and function of ground grass

The ground ivy is also known as blood-seeing grass, blood-wind grass, ground ivy, small-muscle grass, and lotus seed grass. It is widely planted in most provinces in China. Ground ivy is also a Chinese herbal medicine that has very good effects in clearing away heat and fire, clearing away heat and dampness and relieving jaundice, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. As a Chinese herbal medicine, we need to have a detailed understanding of its relevant knowledge and taboos when taking it. Below I will explain to you the relevant knowledge about ground ivy.

Shape characteristics of ground ivy

Ground ivy is an annual creeping herb. The stem is slender, branched near the tip, dark purple, and hairless. Leaves are opposite; leaf stems are very short; bracts are linear, generally 3-lobed; leaves are long-circular, 4-10mm long, 4-6mm wide, obtuse at the apex, narrow at the tip, with fine teeth on the edges, glabrous or sparsely pubescent on both sides, emerald green or dark red. The cup-shaped head inflorescence is solitary on the petiole; the involucre is obconical, light red, 4-lobed at the top, and the lobes are long triangular; there are 4 glandular ducts, which are long and ring-shaped, with milky white flower-like attachments; the ovary is 3-chambered; the style is 3- and 2-lobed. The silique is triangular-spherical, smooth and hairless; the seeds are ovate, dark brown, covered with milky white wax powder, about 1.2mm long and 0.7mm wide. The flowering period is from June to October, and the fruits gradually mature in July.

The role and efficacy of the herb

Meridians: Lung, Liver, Stomach, Intestines, Bladder

Poria cocos effects: spicy; warm in nature

Function: Clears away heat and fire; clears away heat, promotes dampness and relieves jaundice; activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis and activates blood circulation

Classification of effects: blood-activating medicine; hemostatic medicine; heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine.

The whole herb can dispel wind, remove toxins, facilitate urination, promote blood circulation, eliminate parasites, treat dysentery, and can also be used as snake medicine; the leaves and stems contain tannins, from which tannin extract can be obtained.

How to use and dosage of ground ivy

Oral administration: decoction, 10-15g, if fresh, 15-30g; or made into powder. External application: Appropriate amount, mash and apply fresh or grind into powder and sprinkle.

Taboos on taking Herba Dijincao

Use with caution in patients with both Qi and blood deficiency without blood stasis and spleen and stomach deficiency.

Is the herb poisonous?

The alcohol extract of decoction of Euphorbia pulegiae was administered orally to rabbits (20 g crude drug/kg) for one week, or to rats (15 g crude drug/kg) twice a day for 16 days. The rats were observed for one week after the drug was stopped, and no abnormalities were found. This product has little toxicity or side effects. Dijincao tablets (water-decocted alcohol extract) were given to rabbits ig 20g/kg once and observed for 1 week, or given to rats ig 15g/kg, twice a day, for 16 days. After stopping the medication, no abnormal symptoms were found in the animals for 1 week.