Radix Ilicis Pubescentis
Aliases：Wū Wěi Dīng (Black-tailed Nail); Xì Yè Dōng Qīng (Small-leaved Holly); Shān Xióng Dǎn (Mountain Bear Gallbladder); Suān Wèi Mù (Sour-tasting Wood); Hóu Dú Yào (Throat Poison Herb); Chá Yè Dōng Qīng (Tea-leaved Holly); Máo Pī Shù (Hairy Bark Tree); Shuǐ Huǒ Yào (Water Fire Herb); Yōng Shù (Carbuncle Tree); Liù Yuè Shuāng (June Frost); Xì Yè Qīng (Fine-leaved Green); Kǔ Tián Luó (Bitter Snail); Lǎo Shǔ Kěn (Rat-bitten); Shān Dōng Qīng (Mountain Holly); Mǐ Suì Dān (Rice-grain Elixir); Gāo Shān Dōng Qīng (High Mountain Holly); Māo Qiū Zǐ Cǎo (Cat’s Autumn Seed Herb); Máo Cí Zǐ (Hairy Thorn Seed); Měi Zǎi Jiāo (Beautiful Seedling Banana); Máo Lái (Hairy Come); Liù Qīng (Six Greens); Ǎi Tī (Short Ladder); Nài Hú Tī (Enduring Lake Ladder); Huǒ Lào Mù (Fire-branding Wood); Dú Yào (Poison Herb).
Máo Dōng Qīng is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the root of Ilex pubescens Hook. et Arn., a plant belonging to the genus Ilex of the Aquifoliaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, detoxifies, promotes blood circulation, unblocks the collaterals, resolves phlegm, and stops cough.
Indications
Used for wind-heat colds, lung-heat cough and wheezing, sore throat, tonsillitis, swollen and painful gums, chest impediment and heart pain (angina pectoris), stroke with hemiplegia, thromboangiitis obliterans, erysipelas, burns and scalds, carbuncles, and central retinitis. It is also used for coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, laryngitis, infantile pneumonia, frostbite, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Cardiovascular Protection: Exhibits cardiotonic, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and myocardial and vascular endothelial protective effects. It can increase coronary blood flow. Antithrombotic Effect: Ilexsaponin B₃ is one of the material bases for its antithrombotic effect. Anti-inflammatory Effect: Exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. Anticoagulant Effect: Exhibits anticoagulant effects. Neuroprotective Effect: Total saponins of Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens) can reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ilexsaponin (or related saponin compounds) can alleviate neuroinflammatory injury in rats with acute cerebral infarction. Antiviral Effect: Compound Mao Dong Qing has therapeutic effects on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. Improvement of Radiation-Induced Brain Injury: Guangxi Mao Dong Qing has ameliorative effects on radiation-induced brain injury.
Ingredients
The main chemical constituents of Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens) include triterpenoid saponins, lignans, iridoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and others. Various compounds have been isolated from the root, such as ilexoside D, ilexoside A, ilexgenin A, among others. It also contains β-sitosterol, daucosterol, 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 10–30g. In larger doses, it may be used up to 30–120g. Some sources also record a dosage of 30–90g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted and the liquid applied or used for soaking; or ground into powder for external application; or fresh herb mashed for application
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with bleeding disorders. This herb is slightly toxic; it should not be used in large amounts or for prolonged periods. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to this herb. Use with caution in patients with hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes.
Selected Formulas
For lung-heat wheezing and cough (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15g of Wuweiding (Ilex pubescens) root, decoct in water, add an appropriate amount of white sugar, and take in three divided doses. For common cold, tonsillitis, and dysentery (Zhejiang Folk Common Herbal Medicine) Take 15–30g of Ilex pubescens root, decoct in water and drink. For thromboangiitis obliterans (Zhejiang Folk Common Herbal Medicine) Take 90g of Ilex pubescens root and stew with one pig trotter, eat once daily. Additionally, take another 90g of the root, decoct in water, and soak the wound once or twice daily. For knife or gunshot wounds and traumatic swelling and pain (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of Wuweiding (Ilex pubescens) root, decoct in water, let cool, and apply to the affected area 3–6 times daily.
Daily Consumption
Mao Dong Qing Stewed with Pig Trotters (Medicinal Diet): Take 150g of Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens root), 1 pig trotter, and appropriate amounts of fresh ginger, scallion, salt, and Shaoxing rice wine. Stew for 4 hours until fully cooked. Drink the soup and eat the meat. Efficacy: Promotes blood circulation, unblocks the vessels, detoxifies, and promotes wound healing. Mao Dong Qing, Water Chestnut, and Lean Pork Soup: Take 15g of Mao Dong Qing (Ilex pubescens root), 100g of fresh water chestnuts (peeled), 100g of lean pork, and 15g of Coix Seed (Yì Yǐ Rén). Cook together into a soup and consume.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from mold and insects.
