Cacumen Gaultheriae Yunnanensis
Aliases：Tòu Gǔ Cǎo, Mǎn Shān Xiāng, Sōu Shān Hǔ, Méi Tàn Zǐ, Méi Tàn Guǒ, Wàn Lǐ Xiāng, Jiǔ Lǐ Xiāng, Fāng Xiāng Cǎo, Mǎn Tiān Xiāng, Tòu Gǔ Xiāo, Xiǎo Tòu Gǔ Cǎo, Jiǔ Mù Xiāng, Jī Gǔ Xiāng (Guangdong).
Tòu Gǔ Xiāng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant or root of Gaultheria yunnanensis (Franch.) Rehd., a plant belonging to the family Ericaceae. This plant is an evergreen shrub, growing 1–3 meters tall, occasionally reaching 5 meters. The bark is grayish-black, with slender, zigzagging branches that are reddish or reddish-green and hairless. The leaves are alternate, shortly petiolate, leathery, ovate-oblong, and aromatic. The racemes are axillary, with white-green campanulate corollas. The fruit is a globose, black berry-like capsule. Tòu Gǔ Xiāng was first recorded in Diannan Bencao (Materia Medica of Yunnan) under the original name "Tòu Gǔ Cǎo" (Penetrating Bone Herb).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness; disperses cold and alleviates pain; activates blood and unblocks the collaterals; resolves phlegm and relieves cough.
Indications
Indicated for wind-dampness arthralgia and pain, stomach cold with pain, traumatic injuries, and cough with profuse phlegm. It may also be used for wind-cold common cold, amenorrhea, eczema, beriberi, and hemoptysis due to strain.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effect: Tòu Gǔ Xiāng contains methyl salicylate, which is known for its antipyretic and anti-rheumatic properties. Oral administration shows significant anti-inflammatory effects. It exhibits a 32.9% inhibition rate on croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. Antipyretic and analgesic effects: Methyl salicylate exhibits antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic effects, similar to salicylate drugs. Anti-rheumatic effect: Tòu Gǔ Xiāng is widely used in folk and clinical practice for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Miao medicinal Tòu Gǔ Xiāng has therapeutic effects on acute gouty arthritis. Blood-activating and collateral-unblocking, phlegm-resolving and cough-relieving effects.
Ingredients
Volatile oil: The leaves of Gaultheria yunnanensis contain 0.5%–0.8% volatile oil, the main component of which is methyl salicylate. Lignan glycosides. Diterpenoids and triterpenoids. Flavonoids. Organic acids. Other constituents: Protocatechuic acid, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, quercitrin, gaultherin, yunnanin A, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g; up to 30 g for fresh herb; or steep in wine for consumption. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water and wash the affected area; or steep in wine and rub on; or crush and apply topically.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Avoid sour and cold foods, fishy foods, and buckwheat. Not suitable for those with damp-heat Bi syndrome. Contraindicated in children. Use with caution in those with Spleen-Stomach weakness and those with allergic predisposition. Tòu Gǔ Xiāng is slightly toxic and should not be used without authorization. Clinical use must strictly follow a physician‘s prescription and be carried out under professional guidance. Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage and course of treatment, and avoid making unauthorized changes. After use, mild diarrhea or constipation, gastric discomfort, nausea and vomiting, stomatitis, dizziness, and blurred vision may occur. In some cases, transient elevation of aminotransferase levels has been reported.
Selected Formulas
For rheumatic joint pain (empirical formula) Take 30g of Touguxiang (Gaultheria yunnanensis) root, 15g of Xiaoxueteng (a local herb), 3g of Bailongxu (a local herb), and 15g of Niuxi (Achyranthes). Soak in 1000ml of wine. Take about 30ml each time. Additionally, decoct Touguxiang stems and leaves with ginger and scallion for external washing. For rheumatic joint pain (Jiangxi formula) Take 30g each of Baizhu (Atractylodes) root, Jinsulan (Chloranthus spicatus), and Gougu (Ilex cornuta), plus 15g of Weilingxian (Clematis). Decoct in water and drink. For traumatic injury (empirical formula) Take 30g of Baizhu tree root and 18g of Balengma (a local herb). Decoct with equal parts of water and wine and drink. For wind-cold common cold and stomach cold pain (empirical formula) Take 30–60g of the whole plant of Dianbaizhu (Gaultheria leucocarpa). Decoct in water and drink. For chronic illness with loss of appetite (empirical formula) Take 30g of Dianbaizhu whole plant and 60g of Baimaogen (Imperata root). Decoct in water and drink. For eczema (empirical formula) Decoct the whole plant of Tougucao (a local herb) in water and wash the affected area. For sores (empirical formula) Grind Touguxiang into powder, add a little Bingpian (Borneol), and apply externally to the affected area. For ascites (empirical formula) Take 15g of Touguxiang and 9g of Cheqiancao (Plantago). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion: Tòu Gǔ Xiāng is often combined with wind-dampness-dispelling and blood-activating herbs and steeped in wine for oral administration in the treatment of rheumatic joint pain. It may also be steeped alone in wine for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant or root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
