1. Description:
Daphne genkwa (scientific name: Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc., also known as Lilac-Daphne, Chinese Pinyin: Yuan Hua, Simplified Chinese: 芫花, 药鱼草, 老鼠花, 闹鱼花, 头痛花), is a species of perennial flowering plant in genus Daphne (Thymelaeaceae family). Found from between 300 to 1,000 meters in elevation) in China and Japan, the plant can grow up to 100 cm tall. The root and flower of Daphne genkwa are used as discutient and expectorant in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as hypochondriac pain and edema.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The root and flower of Daphne genkwa is considered to have pungent, warm and low-to-medium toxicity properties and to be associated with the lung, spleen and kidney meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Daphne Genkwa & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Pills made with stachys riederi leaves, honey locust, Daphne genkwa flower (soaked in vinegar and fried) and honey is taken after meal with nepeta cataria soup to treat wind-heat related headache.
Pills made with Daphne genkwa flower, rhizome of Euphorbia kansui, rheum officinale, Draba nemorosa and croton is taken orally to treat abdominal edema.
Powdered Daphne genkwa flower is applied externally to treat toothache.
3.2 Parasitosis
Pills made with bitter orange, vinegar and Daphne genkwa flower is taken orally to treat tympanites due to parasitosis.
3.3 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders
A decoction of eggs and Daphne genkwa flower is taken orally to treat mastitis in women.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Administration with caution for pregnant women and the infirm.
Simultaneous use of Daphne genkwa and licorice root is NOT recommended.
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.