What are the effects and benefits of Dipsacus asperoides (Chuan Duan)?

Nov 18, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Drynaria fortunei (Chuan Duan) has the functions of tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening tendons and bones. It is primarily used to treat symptoms caused by deficiency of the liver and kidneys, such as weakness of tendons and bones. It is commonly combined with other herbs like Eucommia bark (Du Zhong), Achyranthes root (Niu Xi), and Acanthopanax bark (Wu Jia Pi) to enhance its therapeutic effects. With its acrid, dispersing, warm, and penetrating properties, Drynaria promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, reconnects tendons, and heals injuries, making it a commonly used herb in traumatology. It is indicated for traumatic injuries, bruising, swelling, pain due to blood stasis, tendon injuries, and fractures.

Chuan Duan is the dried root of Dipsacus asper, a plant from the Caprifoliaceae family. Chuan Duan may have various effects, including tonifying the liver and kidneys, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating the body, protecting bone health, clearing heat and detoxifying. The analysis is as follows:

1. Tonifying the Liver and Kidneys

Chuan Duan has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening tendons and bones. It is primarily used to treat symptoms caused by deficiency of the liver and kidneys, such as weakness in tendons and bones. It is often combined with herbs like Eucommia (Du Zhong), Achyranthes root (Niu Xi), and Acanthopanax bark (Wu Jia Pi) to enhance its therapeutic effects.

2. Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis

The active components in Chuan Duan can promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, improving blood flow and accelerating wound healing. It is effective in treating traumatic injuries, bruising, swelling, and pain due to blood stagnation.

3. Regulating Body Functions

Chuan Duan also helps nourish the liver and kidneys and regulate the Chong and Ren meridians. It can be used to treat conditions such as metrorrhagia, excessive menstruation, threatened miscarriage, and restlessness during pregnancy caused by liver and kidney deficiency. When treating metrorrhagia or menorrhagia, Chuan Duan is often combined with Huang Qi (Astragalus), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), and Ai Ye (Mugwort leaf) to enhance hemostatic effects.

4. Protecting Bone Health

Chuan Duan contains abundant calcium, which helps supplement calcium levels in the body, increase overall calcium content, and reduce calcium loss from bones. This helps protect bone density and alleviate symptoms of osteoporosis.

5. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying

Chuan Duan also possesses certain heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. It can help eliminate internal heat toxins and provide relief for symptoms such as colds, pharyngitis, and oral ulcers.

During treatment, patients should avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and pepper. Diet should be light and easily digestible, and alcohol consumption should be avoided to prevent interference with the medicine's effectiveness.

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What are the efficacy and benefits of drinking Sichuan pepper in water?

Chuan Duan usually refers to the herb Dipsacus asperoides (Xuduan). Under normal circumstances, the main effects and benefits of drinking Xuduan-infused water include nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening tendons and bones, healing fractures and injuries, stopping excessive menstrual bleeding or metrorrhagia, and regulating blood circulation. When drinking Xuduan-infused water, attention should be paid to the dosage, as excessive consumption may increase the body's burden. Individuals with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat should use it cautiously to avoid exacerbating internal fire. Pregnant women should use it only under professional guidance.