What are the effects and functions of raw Chuanwu

Chuanwu is one of the most important Chinese medicinal herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and a key Chinese patent medicine used to treat diseases. The environment in which Chuanwu grows is relatively high, which makes it more precious. Chuanwu has many medicinal ingredients. For example, Chuanwu can be used to treat pain, lower blood pressure and other physical diseases. However, many people know relatively little about Chuanwu. So, what are the effects and functions of raw Chuanwu?

Chuanwu, perennial herb. The stem is erect, smooth and glabrous at the bottom, with a few appressed soft hairs scattered at the top. Leaves are alternate and petiolate; leaf blades are ovate, palmately 3-lobed, with lobes on both sides split into 2 more, and margins coarsely serrated or notched.

1. Anti-inflammatory effect: Total alkaloids of Chuanwu can significantly inhibit the foot swelling caused by carrageenan, fresh egg soup, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rats.

2. Vasodilator and antihypertensive effects: Both Chuanwu and aconitine can dilate blood vessels and have a transient antihypertensive effect.

3. Chuanwu has analgesic and local anesthetic effects: aconitine is a biological alkaloid in the Chuanwu family and its active ingredient is aconitine. The above effects are all central.

4. Cardiotonic effect and toxicity: The water decoction of Chuanwu has a cardiotonic effect on isolated frog hearts. However, Chuanwu is highly toxic. When an overdose of aconitine causes poisoning, it first increases the heartbeat, then causes conduction block and arrhythmia, and finally the heart stops in diastole. The symptoms of acute poisoning caused by aconitine in warm-blooded animals include respiratory excitement, salivation, motor paralysis, terminal convulsions, and vomiting-like mouth-opening movements, which are called aconitine symptoms.

Although Chuanwu is relatively expensive, it is basically eaten for medicinal purposes. Therefore, people can use Chuanwu to make some Chinese patent medicines to treat common diseases. However, the efficacy and effects of raw Chuanwu are very strong, and it also has certain drug toxicity. Therefore, it cannot be consumed in excess, otherwise it will easily cause poisoning.