The efficacy and function of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii

I don’t know if you have seen the Chinese medicinal herb Trillium in your life. The Chinese medicinal herb Trillium generally grows in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, and this plant is generally picked in spring. It grows in the ground. Because of its distinct edges and corners, it is also called Trillium. After digging it out of the ground, washing it and drying it, it can be used as a Chinese medicine. So what are the effects and functions of the Chinese medicinal herb Trillium?

Introduction of Sanleng

[Other names] Radix Tripterygii (Baopuzi), Trillium japonicum (Kaibao Bencao), Rhizoma Cyperi (Bencao Tujing), Trillium gracile (Compilation of Medicinal Materials).

[Source] It is the tuber of the plants of the Trichosanthes family, such as Trichosanthes nigra, Trichosanthes slender-leaved, and Trichosanthes truncatus.

[Plant morphology] ① Black Trigonella (Jiuhuang Bencao), also known as: Yicao (Zi Lin), Trigonella (Qianjin Yifang). Perennial herb. The rhizome runs horizontally, with thick and short tubers growing below. The stem is erect, cylindrical, smooth, and 50 to 100 cm high. The leaves are clustered in 2 rows; the leaves are linear, 60 to 95 cm long and about 2 cm wide, with a longitudinal ridge on the back, obtuse at the tip, and base clasping the stem. The flower stalk emerges from the leaf cluster, is simple, and sometimes branched; the flowers are unisexual, gathered in capitula, with leaf-like bracts; the male inflorescence is located above the female inflorescence, with a diameter of about 10 mm, usually 2 to 10; the female inflorescence is more than 12 mm in diameter, usually 1 to 3; the male flower has 3 to 4 perianths, oblanceolate; 3 stamens; the female flower has pistillate, 1 stamen, rarely 2, the ovary is fusiform, and the stigma is 3 to 4 mm long and filiform. The fruit is drupe-shaped, obovate-conical, 6-10 mm long, 4-8 mm in diameter, with a sharp tip, and the perianth is persistent. Flowering period is from June to July. Fruiting period is July to August. Grown in ponds or ditches. Distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and other places.

②Small black Trigonella is a perennial herb. The rhizome is short and produces many tubers. The stem is 40 to 60 cm high, and the leaves are broadly linear, 45 to 55 cm long and 6 to 8 mm wide. The male inflorescence is located above the female inflorescence, sessile, usually 5 to 7 in number, with leaf-like bracts; the female inflorescence has 3 to 6 in number; the anthers of male flowers are linear, and the filaments are linear; the ovary of female flowers is obovate, and the style is persistent and slightly hooked. The fruit is drupe-shaped; spindle-shaped, dark brown when ripe. Grown in ponds and ditches. Distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei and other places. ③The morphological characteristics of the fine-leaved black tripterygium are short rhizomes and small tubers; the leaves are narrow linear, 45 to 70 cm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. Born in swamps, ditches, etc.; distributed in Northeast China, Hebei, etc.

The efficacy and function of Tripterygium wilfordii

Break up blood, promote qi circulation, eliminate accumulation and relieve pain. It is used to treat accumulation of masses, stagnation of qi and blood, pain in the heart and abdomen, distension and pain under the ribs, amenorrhea, abdominal pain due to postpartum blood stasis, and traumatic injuries. The sore is hard and swollen.

① "Rihuazi Materia Medica": "It can treat women's blood disorders, heart and stomach pain, miscarriage, eliminate bad blood, replenish labor, regulate menstruation, treat flatulence, eliminate blood stasis, postpartum abdominal pain, blood circulation and blood retention."

② "Kaibao Materia Medica": "It is used to treat old age syndrome, abdominal masses and agglomerations."

③ "Medical Origin": "It is used to treat heart and diaphragm pain, indigestion, and qi breakdown." ④ Wang Haogu: "It can clear the liver meridian and treat blood stasis. It can also treat hard sores and swellings."

Dosage and Usage of Tripterygium

For internal use: decoct in water, 5-10g; or make into pills or powder.

Taboos of Tripterygium

People with physical weakness, blood deficiency, amenorrhea and pregnant women are forbidden to take Trillium. People with spleen deficiency without blood stasis should avoid taking Trillium. Trillium has a strong effect of breaking blood and removing blood stasis. It has a strong medicinal property and can damage the vital energy, so it is not suitable for people with physical weakness. People with physical weakness without blood stasis or bleeding due to blood stasis should not use Trillium.