1. Description:
Centipeda minima (scientific name: Centipeda minima (L.)A.Br. et Ascher, Chinese Pinyin: Shi Hu Sui, Simplified Chinese: 石胡荽, 天胡荽, 野园荽, 鹅不食草, 鸡肠草), is a species of annual herbaceous plant in genus Centipeda (daisy family, Asteraceae). Found in damp places, wetlands and along roadsides in China, North Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia and Oceania, the plant can grow up to 20 cm tall. Centipeda minima is used as cold-dispelling drug, carminative, dampness-dispelling drug and stasis-eliminating drug in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Centipeda minima is considered to have pungent, cold and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the lung meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Centipeda Minima & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Cold, Flu, Fever And Coughing
Centipeda Minima juice is taken with wine to treat asthma related to excessive phlegm.
3.2 Skin Health
Juice of Centipeda Minima, Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and Angelica sinensis is taken orally with wine to treat sores and boils.
Smashed Centipeda Minima can be applied externally to heal haemorrhoids.
3.3 Eye Health
Dried Centipeda Minima, indigo naturalis and Sichuan lovage rhizome are powdered and snorted to treat dim vision as well as toothache.
3.4 Amoebic Dysentery
A decoction of Centipeda Minima and Stenoloma chusanum root is taken orally to treat amoebic dysentery.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.