Overview of the efficacy and functions of Wulingzhi

Wulingzhi is the dried feces of the flying squirrel. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies it as a blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing medicine.Promotes blood circulation and relieves pain, removes blood stasis and stops bleeding, detoxifies and reduces swellingIt is mainly used to treat dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis, abdominal pain and bruises. Its core functions are to improve blood circulation and anti-inflammation, and its secondary functions include relieving epigastric pain and assisting in the treatment of snake and insect bites. It should be noted that it is warm in nature and should be used with caution by pregnant women and those with blood deficiency and blood stasis.

Promoting blood circulation, relieving pain and gynecological application

WulingzhiPromoting blood circulation and dispersing blood stasisIts properties make it a commonly used medicine in gynecology. Clinically, it is often used in combination with Puhuang (Shixiaosan) to effectively relieve dysmenorrhea, postpartum lochia, and blood stasis-type amenorrhea. Its pungent, warm and qi-promoting effect can promote uterine contraction and accelerate the discharge of blood stasis. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" of the Ming Dynasty recorded that it "tonifies the blood vessels", and Huang Gongxiu, a doctor of the Qing Dynasty, even said that it "specializes in the blood division of the liver and is an important medicine for dispersing blood and relieving pain". Modern research shows that it containsUrea, uric acid and resinous substancesIt can inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators.

Removing blood stasis, stopping bleeding and treating trauma

The hemostatic effect of Wulingzhi is to "remove blood stasis without leaving blood stasis", and is suitable for complex diseases with both bleeding and blood stasis, such as gastric ulcer bleeding or metrorrhagia. For external use, it is often mixed with Cortex Phellodendron and Diyu Diyu into powder for application to treat bruises, swelling and pain. "Taiping Huimin Hejiju Prescription" records that it "can promote bleeding and stop bleeding." Modern pharmacological experiments have confirmed that its extract can shorten the coagulation time and prevent thrombosis by improving microcirculation.

Detoxification and digestive system conditioning

Wulingzhi is good for the digestive systemTwo-way adjustmentFunction: It can not only relieve gastric spasm pain, but also promote gastrointestinal motility. In folk prescriptions, it is often combined with Corydalis Corydalis and Acostalis to treat epigastric distension and pain. Its detoxification effect is reflected in the treatment of snake and insect bites, and it can be used together with realgar to neutralize toxins. It should be noted that raw products are mostly used to promote blood circulation, and vinegar can enhance the hemostatic effect, so syndrome differentiation is required for use.

Precautions and summary for use

Although Wulingzhi has many effects, itNot suitable for use with ginseng(Nineteen fear of incompatibility), and it is necessary to strictly distinguish between raw use and prepared use. It is prohibited for pregnant women and those with heavy menstruation, and the normal dosage is controlled at 3-10 grams. As an animal-derived medicinal material, it needs to be fully processed to remove odor. Its value lies in the blood-activating concept of "taking Tong as supplement", but modern application should be combined with evidence-based medical evidence to avoid blind use.

Citing sources

1. "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" 2020 Edition 1 2. Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica·Part of Birds" 3. Huang Gongxiu's "Compendium of Materia Medica Seeking Truth" 4. Compilation Team of "Chinese Materia Medica" by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine