What is the medicinal value of pine bark

Pine trees are a type of plant that we often see. Normally, we only know that pine trees are tall and have a cold-resistant spirit, but we never thought that pine trees have medicinal value. In fact, the medicinal value of pine bark is particularly obvious, and it also plays a vital role in daily Chinese medicine. So, what is the medicinal value of pine bark? Let’s learn more about it through the following introduction.

[Nature and flavor and meridians] "Compendium of Materia Medica" records: bitter, astringent, warm. Return lung and large intestine meridian.

【Functions and indications】 "Compendium of Materia Medica" records: astringent, tissue regeneration. Used externally to treat burns, scalds and children's eczema.

[Usage and Dosage] For external use, apply appropriate amount, dry it and grind it into powder, mix it with sesame oil and apply it to the affected area, or boil it in water and wash the affected area.

【Excerpt】National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Pine bark Pine bark is used to dispel wind and dampness; promote blood circulation and stop bleeding, heal sores and promote tissue regeneration. It is mainly used to treat rheumatic bone pain, traumatic injuries, knife injuries, intestinal bleeding, chronic dysentery, eczema, burns, and carbuncles that do not heal for a long time.

【Discussions by Various Schools】

Guangzhou Army's "Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines": Treats rheumatic bone pain, bruises and pain.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3 to 5 qian; or grind into powder. For external use: grind into powder and apply on the affected area or decoct in water for washing.

【Additional prescription】

①Treat rheumatoid arthritis: 50g each of pine bark (remove the rough bark), Caragana root, Rubia cordifolia, and Trachelospermum officinale, and 1 liang of Tiger thorn. Decoction in water. (Commonly used herbal medicines among Zhejiang folks)

② Treat excessive bleeding due to intestinal wind: grind the pine bark (scrape off the coarse and loose parts first, and take the tender bark) into fine powder, roast until half dry, then put it into a wok, fry it over low heat until dry, and grind it into fine powder. Take one qian of it each time, add one qian of Lacha tea, and drink with white soup before meals. (Songpi Powder from Yang's Family Prescriptions)

③Treat chronic dysentery: Cut one dou of red pine bark (remove the bark) into powder, mix with one liter of noodle porridge and take three times a day until the condition improves. (Qianjin Fang)

④ Treating wounds caused by injuries: Calcine the bark of ancient pine, grind it into powder and apply it on the wound to relieve pain. (Yongleiqianfang)

⑤To treat children’s head sores (also known as fetal wind sores): Add a little fermented black beans to the bark of ancient pine, fry on a tile until it is preserved, grind into powder, mix with talcum powder and sesame oil, and apply on the head. (Experienced Prescriptions)

⑥Treat skin pruritus, lacquer sores, eczema: decoct pine bark for fumigation and washing. (Commonly used herbal medicines among Zhejiang folks)

⑦Treat burns: burn old pine bark into charcoal, grind into very fine powder, and sieve. After debridement, if there is exudate or suppuration on the affected area, sprinkle powder directly; if there is no exudate, mix it with sesame oil into a paste and apply it externally. (Selected Works of the Exhibition: Surgery)

【Efficacy】

1. Inhibit lipoprotein oxidation and DNA damage caused by hydroxyl "free radicals";

2. Beneficial for the treatment of asthma;

3. Anti-edema. Topical application can protect the skin from UV rays;

4. Anti-inflammation and immune regulation;

5. Prevent atherosclerosis caused by α-tumor necrosis factor;

6. Reduce the "bad cholesterol" in human blood. Improve the antioxidant capacity of plasma and adjust the ratio of plasma lipoprotein;

7. Prolong the life of vitamin C, activate vitamin C and vitamin E, and the effect is better when used with carotenoids such as astaxanthin (ASTA for short);

8. Protect the retina from damage caused by oxidative stress;

9. Auxiliary treatment of diabetic retinopathy, help prevent and treat retinopathy, etc.

Through the above introduction, we know the medicinal value of pine bark. In normal times, we can use pine bark to treat various diseases. Such effects were unknown before. Now the medicinal value of pine bark has been recognized by people and is widely used. Moreover, the curative effect in reality is also particularly obvious. However, when treating diseases, it is mainly carried out under the guidance of a doctor. Do not use it blindly.