Didymocarpus fimbrisepalus (Hand.-Mazz.) Hand.-Mazz.
Aliases：Hóng Mǎ Huáng Qī (literally "Red Leech Seven"), Shí Páng Xiè (literally "Stone Crab"), Shí Wú Gōng (literally "Stone Centipede"), Shí Mián (literally "Stone Cotton"), Yán Mǎ Huáng (literally "Rock Leech"), and Shān Mǎ Huáng (literally "Mountain Leech"). (These are all alternative names for Mǎ Huáng Qī, i.e., Didymocarpus fimbrisepalus Rhizome.)
Mǎ Huáng Qī (Mahuangqi) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried rhizome of Didymocarpus fimbrisepalus (Hand.-Mazz.) Hand.-Mazz., a plant belonging to the family Gesneriaceae. It is named for its flat‑cylindrical rhizome with transverse striations, which resembles a leech (Mǎ Huáng, i.e., a water leech). It grows in moist places on rocky cliffs in deep mountain valleys.
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the middle, clears heat and eliminates dampness, reduces swelling and relieves pain.
Indications
Stomach pain, infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation / pediatric malnutrition), hepatitis, dysentery, pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis, traumatic injuries and bone‑setting, boils, sores and toxic swellings (including unnamed toxic swellings), and bleeding from knife wounds.
Modern Pharmacology
Effect on intestinal smooth muscle: The decoction of Mǎ Huáng Qī has been shown to affect the contraction of isolated intestinal smooth muscle in mice.
Ingredients
The root of Mǎ Huáng Qī contains flavonoid compounds, such as mahuangchiside (I), hispidulin (II), kaempferol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–18 g. For topical application: appropriate amount, mashed and applied to the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency‑cold.
Selected Formulas
For infantile malnutrition (gan) (Guangxi New Selection of Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take Mahuang Qi (a local herb) and E Mahuang (a local herb). Decoct in water and drink, or steam with lean pork and eat. For mumps (Hunan Materia Medica) Take fresh herb, crush and apply externally. For hemoptysis and stomach pain (Hunan Materia Medica) Take 9-15g of the root, decoct in water and drink. For boils, furuncles, traumatic swelling, pain, and bleeding (Hunan Materia Medica) Take fresh root, crush and apply externally.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried rhizome of Didymocarpus fimbrisepalus (Hand.-Mazz.) Hand.-Mazz., a plant belonging to the family Gesneriaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
