What are the functions and effects of Eupatorium?
Nov 21, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Lycopus lucidus (Ze Lan) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a bitter and pungent taste, slightly warm in nature, and is associated with the liver and spleen meridians. Generally speaking, Ze Lan offers various therapeutic effects and functions, including promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, inducing diuresis to reduce edema, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, clearing heat to remove toxins, and anti-aging properties. However, Chinese herbal medicines should be used under the guidance of a qualified physician. Although Ze Lan has multiple benefits and functions, it should be used with caution.
Leonurus japonicus (Motherwort) is a traditional Chinese medicine with bitter and pungent taste, slightly warm in nature, and associated with the liver and spleen meridians. Generally speaking, the main functions and effects of Leonurus japonicus include promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, clearing heat and detoxifying, and anti-aging. However, Chinese medicinal materials should be used under the guidance of professional physicians. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Resolving Blood Stasis: Leonurus japonicus contains various active ingredients such as volatile oils, flavonoid glycosides, and phenolic compounds. These components can effectively improve blood circulation and alleviate symptoms such as pain and swelling. It is commonly used to treat traumatic injuries, blood stasis with swelling and pain, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain. It not only helps dissipate blood stasis in the body but also promotes the generation of new blood, thus achieving the purpose of harmonizing qi and blood and relieving pain.
2. Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Edema: Leonurus japonicus can effectively promote the metabolism of body fluids, increase urine output, and thereby alleviate edema. With its diuretic and edema-relieving effect, it is commonly used to treat edema and oliguria caused by spleen and stomach weakness. In addition, Leonurus japonicus can improve kidney filtration function, further promoting the excretion of excess body fluids and achieving a decongestive effect.
3. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory: Leonurus japonicus can promote fluid metabolism and eliminate edema. It has a good therapeutic effect on symptoms such as edema and oliguria caused by spleen and stomach weakness. By increasing urine output and promoting the metabolism of body fluids, it can improve kidney filtration function, thereby reducing edema symptoms.
4. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying: Leonurus japonicus also has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, which can help eliminate heat toxins in the body. For certain diseases caused by heat toxicity, such as fever and inflammation caused by infections, Leonurus japonicus has a certain relieving effect. It can reduce the level of inflammation in the body, alleviate related symptoms, and promote recovery.
5. Anti-aging: Leonurus japonicus contains abundant antioxidant substances, which can neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative damage, help delay cellular aging, and slow down skin aging. Long-term moderate consumption of Leonurus japonicus helps maintain healthy and smooth skin, thereby achieving anti-aging effects to some extent.
Although Leonurus japonicus has various functions and effects, it should be used with caution. Leonurus japonicus has certain toxicity and should not be used for long periods or in excessive amounts. Pregnant women, lactating women, individuals allergic to the drug's components, and other such populations are contraindicated for this herb. When using Leonurus japonicus to treat diseases, one should follow the advice and guidance of a physician to ensure safe medication use and therapeutic efficacy.
