Radix Et Rhizoma Thalictri
Aliases：Mǎ Wěi Huáng Lián (Horsetail Coptis)
Mǎ Wěi Lián is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the rhizome and root of Thalictrum foliolosum DC., Thalictrum baicalense Turcz., or Thalictrum delavayi Franch., plants belonging to the genus Thalictrum of the family Ranunculaceae.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, dries dampness, drains fire, and detoxifies.
Indications
Damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, jaundice, and restlessness in febrile diseases: Being bitter and cold in nature and entering the Heart meridian, this herb can drain Heart fire to relieve restlessness. Lung-heat cough. Carbuncles, sores, and toxic swellings; red and swollen eyes. It is also applicable to conditions diagnosed in Western medicine as bacillary dysentery, acute and chronic enteritis pertaining to Large Intestine damp-heat; jaundice pertaining to Liver-Gallbladder damp-heat; eczema pertaining to internal accumulation of damp-heat; and acute conjunctivitis and other conditions pertaining to Liver fire flaring upward.
Modern Pharmacology
The water decoction of this product exhibits inhibitory effects against Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, and Shigella flexneri. The alkaloid fangchinoline it contains has antihypertensive effects. This product also exhibits acetylcholine-like effects, and has choleretic, antitumor, leukocyte-increasing, antipyretic, diuretic, and sedative effects.
Ingredients
This product contains thalifoline, berbamine, berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, and others. Its aerial parts contain alkaloids, flavonoid glycosides, saponins, cardiac glycosides, vitamin C, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water and take, 6–12 g. For the whole plant, 15–30 g.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as this herb is cold in nature and may impair the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For treating damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, it may be combined with Scutellaria (Huáng Qín), Pueraria (Gé Gēn), and Pulsatilla (Bái Tóu Wēng). For treating damp-heat jaundice, it may be combined with Artemisia capillaris (Yīn Chén), Gardenia (Zhī Zǐ), and Phellodendron (Huáng Bǎi). For treating restlessness and irritability in febrile diseases, it may be combined with Gardenia (Zhī Zǐ) and Bamboo Leaf (Zhú Yè). For treating lung-heat cough, as this herb enters the Lung meridian and drains lung fire, it may be combined with Scutellaria (Huáng Qín), Mulberry Root-bark (Sāng Bái Pí), and Wolfberry Bark (Dì Gǔ Pí). For treating carbuncles, sores, swelling and pain, and red and swollen eyes, it may be combined with Dandelion (Pú Gōng Yīng) and Wild Chrysanthemum (Yě Jú Huā).
Medicinal Parts
Usually the whole plant or the root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.
