The Efficacy and Functions of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redouté

Belamcanda, with bitter taste and cold property, enters the lung meridian and is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of use. Its main functions and indications include: 1. **Clearing heat and detoxifying**: Belamcanda is bitter and cold in nature, which enables it to clear internal heat and remove toxicity. It is particularly indicated for treating sore throat caused by heat toxicity and phlegm-fire stagnation, and is commonly used for such conditions. 2. **Relieving sore throat and resolving phlegm**: Belamcanda can alleviate throat swelling and pain, resolve phlegm, and relieve cough. It is effective for symptoms such as coughing and wheezing due to lung heat, accompanied by excessive yellow phlegm. It is often combined with herbs such as Ephedra (Mahuang), Asarum (Xixin), and Pinellia (Banxia) to enhance therapeutic effects. 3. **Promoting blood circulation and dissipating nodules**: Belamcanda also has the function of promoting blood circulation and resolving swellings or nodules. It can be used to treat amenorrhea in women and abscesses caused by heat-toxin. 4. **Antiviral and antibacterial effects**: Belamcanda contains natural antibacterial components, which can exert anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral actions. It also shows good efficacy in treating respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.