The efficacy and function of Tongguxiao stems and leaves

The medical value of Tongguxiao stems and leaves is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. The stems and leaves of Tongguxiao contain many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let’s take a look.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the stems and leaves of the Acanthaceae plant.

[Original form] The large-flowered crow's beak is a thick herbaceous or woody climbing vine that can grow up to 8 meters or more. Branches numerous, pubescent. Leaves are opposite; petiole is 2.5-6cm long; leaf blade is papery, broadly ovate or triangular-cordate. Leaves are opposite; petiole is 2.5-6cm long; leaf blade is papery, broadly ovate-triangular-cordate, 5-10cm long, 4-8cm wide, with short acuminate to acute apex, base cordate, margin wavy to shallowly lobed, pubescent on both sides, with 3-7 palmate veins. The flowers are large, sometimes 2 flowers grow side by side in leaf axils or in a drooping raceme; the pedicel is about 5cm long; the bracts are 2, oblong-ovate, 2.5-3cm long, and covered with short pre-selected hairs; the calyx is annular and truncate; the corolla is light blue, light yellow or nearly white on the outside, 5-8cm long, with a short corolla tube, an enlarged throat, and a nearly 5-cleft rim, with an expanded diameter of up to 7cm; the stamens are 4, didynamic, the longer ones have hairy anthers and spurred locules, the shorter ones have no hairs and only 1 locule has spurs; the ovary is slightly fleshy, with 2 ovules in each locule, the stigma is deeply 2-lobed, and the lobes are equal in size; the capsule is covered with soft hairs, about 3cm long, nearly spherical at the bottom, and with a long beak at the top, which looks like a crow's mouth when cracked. The seeds are hemispherical, with a wrinkled surface that resembles brain.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The vine stem is cylindrical, covered with soft hairs, 2-8mm in diameter, with longitudinal wrinkles, and gray to gray-brown. The leaves are simple and opposite, mostly wrinkled. When the complete leaves are flattened, they are broadly ovate, 3-5cm long, 2-3cm wide, rough on both sides, covered with hairs, and grayish yellow. It has a faint smell and tastes sweet and slightly spicy.

[Chemical composition] The large-flowered crow's beak flower contains flavonoids: apigenin 7-glucuronide, luteolin, luteolin 7-glucoside and malyidin-3,5-diglucoside. It also contains an iridoid compound, 10-dehydroxymethyl stilbericoside.

[Pharmacological action] The decoction of the stems and leaves of this plant is not very toxic when injected intraperitoneally into mice. When the dosage is 1g/mouse, one mouse dies for every two mice within 24 hours. It had no significant effect on the isolated guinea pig ileum, rat uterus, toad rectus abdominis muscle and rat hind limb perfusion test.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; slightly bitter; neutral

【Functions and indications】Promote blood circulation and relieve pain; detoxify and reduce swelling. Mainly used for traumatic injuries; fractures; boils; snake bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: appropriate amount, crush the fresh product and apply it; or boil it in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal material Tongguxiao stems and leaves. For medicinal herbs that we don't understand, we should learn more about them so that we can make full use of them in our lives and not be at a loss.