What are the functions and benefits of Schizonepeta?

Generally speaking, the main functions and effects of Schizonepeta (Jing Jie) include dispersing cold wind, resolving exterior syndromes and expelling pathogenic factors, promoting eruption of rashes and relieving itching, stopping bleeding, as well as dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Dispersing Cold Wind

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, Schizonepeta is slightly warm in nature and pungent in taste, acting on the lung and liver meridians. Its pungent-warm nature can disperse cold wind. When symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, headache, nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge occur due to a cold caused by wind-cold, appropriate use of Schizonepeta can help expel wind-cold pathogens from the body's surface and alleviate discomfort from the cold, aligning with TCM's principle of treating wind-cold syndromes by dispersing cold wind.

2. Resolving Exterior Syndromes and Expelling Pathogens

Due to its pungent, dispersing, and light nature, Schizonepeta effectively resolves exterior syndromes and expels pathogenic factors. It can not only dispel wind-cold but also relieve wind-heat. At the early stage of exterior syndromes caused by external pathogenic factors, regardless of whether it is wind-cold or wind-heat type, when symptoms such as fever, aversion to cold, and sore throat appear, Schizonepeta can help open the body's surface, promote the expulsion of pathogenic factors through the skin, and assist in alleviating symptoms of exterior syndromes.

3. Promoting Eruption of Rashes and Relieving Itching

Schizonepeta has the effect of promoting eruption of rashes and removing toxins, as well as dispelling wind and relieving itching. When symptoms such as initial stages of measles, poor eruption of rashes, or skin itching caused by urticaria (wind rash) or eczema occur, appropriate use of Schizonepeta can help promote the eruption of rashes and toxins, facilitate the full emergence of rashes, and relieve skin itching caused by wind-related pathogenic factors, thereby assisting in improving skin symptoms.

4. Stopping Bleeding

When Schizonepeta is stir-fried until charred, its medicinal properties change and it acquires astringent and hemostatic effects, making it suitable for treating various bleeding symptoms. For conditions such as hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, or metrorrhagia, appropriately using charred Schizonepeta can help stop bleeding by astringency, reduce blood loss, and assist in alleviating bleeding symptoms. It is one of the commonly used TCM herbs for stopping bleeding.

5. Dispelling Wind and Eliminating Dampness

Schizonepeta can dispel wind and eliminate dampness, unblock meridians, and relieve pain. For symptoms such as joint pain, limb numbness, and limited mobility caused by rheumatic bi syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome), appropriate use of Schizonepeta can help expel wind-damp pathogens from the body, unblock the meridians, reduce joint pain, improve limb function, and alleviate discomfort caused by rheumatic bi syndrome.

When using Schizonepeta, it is important to note that due to its warm nature, it should not be used alone or in excessive amounts by individuals with yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity or those who are prone to sweating, as this may worsen internal heat symptoms. Schizonepeta should be used according to the specific syndrome type under the guidance of a professional and should not be taken arbitrarily without medical advice. Fresh Schizonepeta can be consumed in small amounts as a food ingredient, but when used medicinally, it should be taken according to medical instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.