The Efficacy and Functions of黄荆子 (Vitex negundo Fruit)

Generally speaking, Huangjingzi (Premna fruit) has various medicinal effects and functions, including dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, relieving cough and asthma, regulating qi to harmonize the stomach and alleviate pain, clearing heat and cooling the blood, lowering blood pressure, and providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The specific details are as follows:

1. Dispelling Wind and Eliminating Dampness: Huangjingzi has a pungent and bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature. It acts on the lung, stomach, and large intestine meridians, possessing the effect of dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. This characteristic enables Huangjingzi to effectively treat conditions such as rheumatic pain, joint and bone pain, and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees. Its active ingredients can promote blood circulation, improve local microcirculation, and thereby relieve pain.

2. Relieving Cough and Asthma: Huangjingzi can expel phlegm, relieve cough, and alleviate asthma. It is commonly used in treating cough, asthma, and whooping cough. Being warm in nature and acting on the lung meridian, it is particularly suitable for treating cough and asthma caused by excessive phlegm due to cold pathogens.

3. Regulating Qi, Harmonizing the Stomach, and Alleviating Pain: With its pungent and warming properties, Huangjingzi enters the stomach meridian and can regulate qi, harmonize the stomach, and relieve pain. Therefore, it is commonly used to treat epigastric pain, hiccups, and other symptoms caused by cold-induced qi stagnation and disharmony of stomach qi.

4. Clearing Heat and Cooling the Blood: Huangjingzi also has the effect of clearing heat and cooling the blood. It is effective in treating conditions such as dysentery, enteritis, and hemorrhoidal bleeding caused by heat toxicity. Its active ingredients help reduce internal body heat, alleviate inflammatory responses, and promote recovery.

5. Lowering Blood Pressure and Antibacterial/Anti-inflammatory Effects: The active ingredients in Huangjingzi can lower blood pressure and provide auxiliary therapeutic benefits for patients with hypertension. At the same time, Huangjingzi possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it applicable for treating various infectious diseases and improving respiratory symptoms.

Although Huangjingzi has multiple medicinal benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. It should be avoided by individuals with heat-dampness syndrome accompanied by dryness and thirst without qi stagnation, to prevent worsening of their condition. Overuse of Huangjingzi may lead to physical discomfort and menstrual disorders in women. Therefore, it should be used under the guidance of a physician, and self-medication should be avoided.