Herb of Southern Epaltes
Aliases：Dì Hú Jiāo (literally "Ground Pepper" — named for its peppery taste and low growth habit), Dà É Bù Shí (literally "Big Goose Does Not Eat" — indicating animals avoid it, reflecting its pungent nature), É Bù Shí Cǎo (literally "Goose‑Avoiding Grass" — a variant of the same meaning), and Quán Tóu Jú (literally "Fist Chrysanthemum" — named for its rounded flower heads resembling a fist). (These are all alternative names for Lǎo Shǔ Jiǎo Jì, i.e., the dried whole herb of Epaltes australis / Southern Epaltes.)
Lǎo Shǔ Jiǎo Jì (Mouse Footprint) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole herb of Epaltes australis Less. (also known as Epaltes australis in some sources, and referred to as Yǐ Bā Jú in Chinese, a name used in some regions), a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is named for its creeping or spreading stems and branches, which resemble the footprints of a mouse. It grows in rice paddies or beside field margins.
Efficacy & Actions
Removes blood stasis and relieves pain.
Indications
Traumatic injuries, and red, swollen and painful eyes.
Usage & Dosage
For topical use: take an appropriate amount, mash it, and apply it externally to the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For red, swollen, and painful eyes (empirical formula) Take 9g each of Laoshu Jiaoyi (a local herb), Tianjihuang (Hypericum japonicum), and Litoucao (a local herb). Crush them together and apply to the Hegu acupoint (LI4). If the left eye is painful, apply to the right hand; if the right eye is painful, apply to the left hand.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole herb.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
