1. Description:
Dichroa febrifuga (Chinese Pinyin: Chang Shan, Simplified Chinese: 常山, 恒山, 互划, 鸡屎草, 鸭屎草), is a species of flowering herbaceous plant in genus Dichroa (Hydrangeaceae family). Found in valley, stream banks or bushes (from between 0 to 1,000 meters in elevation) in Asia, the plant can grow up to 200 cm tall. The dried root of Dichroa febrifuga is used as expectorant in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as indigestion.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The dried root of Dichroa febrifuga is considered to have bitter, cold and low-to-medium toxicity properties and to be associated with the lung, liver and heart meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Dichroa febrifuga & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Improving Digestion
A decoction of Dichroa febrifuga root, licorice root and honey can be taken orally to treat decreased appetite accompanied with thick saliva or mucus.
3.2 Malaria
Medicated wine with Dichroa febrifuga root can be used to treat malaria.
Medicated wine with Dichroa febrifuga seedling (also known as Shu Qi, Chinese: 蜀漆), gypsum (calcined), fructus mume and licorice root is taken to treat malaria in pregnant women.
3.3 Metal Disorder
Proper dosage of fresh Dichroa febrifuga root can be taken to treat metal disorder.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Administration with caution for pregnant women.
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.