Overview of the efficacy and functions of Platycladus orientalis leaves

Platycladus orientalis leaf is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It has the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, growing hair, relieving cough and reducing phlegm. It is widely used in clinical TCM and daily health care. Its main functions include:Stop bleeding(Applicable to bleeding symptoms such as vomiting blood and epistaxis),hair care(Improve hair loss and gray hair problems),Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory(It has inhibitory effect on many kinds of bacteria). The secondary effects include regulating blood lipids, antioxidant, etc. The following will start from its core functions and explain it combined with practical applications.

Cooling blood and stopping bleeding: core functions of Platycladus orientalis leaves

The hemostatic effect of Platycladus orientalis leaves comes from its rich content offlavonoidsand tannins, which can constrict blood vessels and promote blood coagulation. Traditional Chinese medicine is often used to treat bleeding caused by blood heat, such as epistaxis, hemoptysis, etc. Modern research has also confirmed that its extracts can shorten blood clotting time (see table below). When using, decoction is usually taken internally or powdered for external application, but please be careful.Use with caution in patients with non-blood heat syndrome, so as not to aggravate the cold constitution.

Hair growth and black hair: double verification of tradition and modernity

Arborvitae leaveshair growthThe efficacy has been recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica", and its alcohol soaking solution can stimulate the growth of hair follicles. Modern research shows that its volatile oil can improve scalp microcirculation and inhibit 5α-reductase activity (a key enzyme in androgenic alopecia). The black hair effect is related to antioxidant ingredients, which can slow down the loss of melanin. It is recommended to apply the juice of fresh Platycladus orientalis leaves to the scalp, or use it in combination with Polygonum multiflorum, but it needs to belong-term persistenceOnly then can it be effective.

Cough relieving and phlegm resolving and other auxiliary effects

Arborvitae leavesCough reliefThe effect is related to the sedative effect of its volatile oils (such as α-terpineol) on the respiratory tract, which has a certain alleviation effect on chronic bronchitis. In addition, its decoction can also reduce serum cholesterol in experimental animals (by about 15%) and exhibit the ability to scavenge free radicals. Although these auxiliary effects require more clinical verification, they provide the possibility of their application in the field of cardiovascular health care.

Comprehensive application and precautions

Although Platycladus orientalis leaves have a wide range of effects, they requireDialectical use: It should be used raw to stop bleeding, and stir-fried with charcoal to stop cough. For external use, skin sensitivity needs to be tested. Pregnant women and those with spleen and stomach deficiency should follow medical advice. In daily life, it can be combined with Sophora japonica to treat bleeding, or used with black sesame for hair care. Its multiple values ​​reflect the characteristics of "one drug with multiple effects" of traditional Chinese medicine, and only when used rationally can the maximum benefit be achieved.

Citing sources

1. "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" 2020 Edition
2. Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica"
3. "Chinese Herbal Medicine" Issue 8, 2019 "Progress in Pharmacological Research on Platycladus Platycladus Leaf"
4. Compilation Team of "Chinese Materia Medica" of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine