The efficacy and function of Phytolacca

Phytolacca is also known as cow radish. It is a perennial plant of the Phytolacca genus of the Phytolacca family. It often grows on roadsides, hillsides or in courtyards. In fact, Phytolacca is very common in our lives. I think children who grew up in the countryside have seen it when they were young and played with it as a toy. I didn't expect that Phytolacca can be used as a traditional Chinese medicine and has certain effects. Let's take a look at the effects and functions of Phytolacca.

【Warning】The roots are poisonous and can cause digestive disorders and poisoning reactions

The efficacy and function of Phytolacca

1. Psoralea corylifolia is bitter, cold, toxic, and enters the lung, kidney, and large intestine meridians. It has the functions of expelling water and reducing swelling, promoting bowel movements, and detoxifying and dispersing stagnation. It is mainly used to treat edema, constipation, sores, etc.

2. Gavage of decoction, tincture and water extract of Phytolacca americana to mice had a significant expectorant effect, with the decoction having a greater effect than the tincture and the water extract.

3. The experiment of mice coughing induced by ammonia spray proved that the crude alkaloids of Phytolacca japonica extract had a significant antitussive effect when taken orally. This effect was only achieved by subcutaneous injection.

4. In vitro experiments have shown that the decoction and tincture of Phytolacca americana have a certain inhibitory effect on influenza bacillus and pneumococcus; they have a stronger antibacterial effect on Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella sonnei, and Shigella dysenteriae is moderately sensitive to the decoction of Phytolacca americana.

5. Infusing the extract of Phytolacca americana into toad kidneys or directly dripping it into frog kidneys can increase urine output. The mechanism of action may be to stimulate the vasomotor center, dilate capillaries, and increase blood flow, which is the result of accelerated blood circulation in the kidneys.