What are the effects and functions of Chuanniuxi (Medicinal Cyathula Root)
Chuanniuxi, also known as Bainiuxi, Guainiuxi, Rouniuxi, etc., is the dried root of Cyathula officinalis, a plant of the genus Cyathula in the Amaranthaceae family. As a medicine, it specifically has the effects of removing blood stasis and promoting menstruation, freeing the joints, and promoting diuresis to treat strangury. It has therapeutic effects on conditions such as amenorrhea and abdominal masses, retained placenta, traumatic injuries, rheumatic arthralgia, foot flaccidity and tendon contracture, and hematuria and bloody strangury. Now let us take a look at the effects and functions of Chuanniuxi!
The medicinal effects of Chuanniuxi
[Nature and flavor] Sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, neutral in nature.
[Meridian tropism] Liver and kidney meridians.
[Effects] Removing blood stasis and promoting menstruation, freeing the joints, and promoting diuresis to treat strangury. It mainly treats conditions such as amenorrhea and abdominal masses, retained placenta, traumatic injuries, rheumatic arthralgia, foot flaccidity and tendon contracture, and hematuria and bloody strangury.
Related discussions on Chuanniuxi
1. "Compilation of Medicinal Materials Data": Treats injuries from blows and knife wounds, and has the effect of alleviating pain.
2. "Manual of Chinese Medicinal Materials": It is mostly effective in dispelling wind and promoting diuresis; its other effects are the same as Huainiuxi (Achyranthes Root).
3. "Sichuan Materia Medica": Dispels wind and promotes diuresis, promotes menstruation and dissipates blood. Treats cold-damp waist and leg bone pain, foot flaccidity and tendon contracture, women's amenorrhea and abdominal masses, strangury, hematuria, impotence, and incontinence.
The pharmacological effects of Chuanniuxi
1. Protein anabolic effect: The insect-molting steroidal hormones contained in Chuanniuxi have a strong promoting effect on protein synthesis, and their strength of action is similar to that of 4-chlorotestosterone.
2. Anti-fertility effect: Three extracts of Chuanniuxi, namely the benzene extract, ethyl acetate extract, and alcohol extract, have anti-fertility and anti-implantation effects in mice.
3. Other effects: The cyasterone contained in Chuanniuxi has estrogenic activity. The fluid extract has a relaxing effect on the uterus of non-pregnant cats, but has a strong contracting effect on the pregnant uterus.
Methods of consuming Chuanniuxi
1. Niuxi Pill
[Composition] Equal parts of Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), dried rehmannia, bitter orange, wolfberry bark, dodder seed, and polygala root.
[Usage] Grind the above into powder, and make into pills the size of firmiana seeds with refined honey or with a paste made by boiling wine. Take 20 to 50 pills per dose, taken on an empty stomach with either salt water or warm wine.
[Effects] Clears the heart and moistens the lungs, consolidates the primal qi and boosts the spirit, improves appetite, and strengthens the bones and tendons.
2. Niuxi Congee
[Composition] 20 grams of Niuxi stems and leaves, 100 grams of japonica rice.
[Usage] Add 200 milliliters of water to Niuxi, decoct until 100 milliliters remain, remove the residue and keep the juice, add 100 grams of japonica rice, then add about 500 milliliters of water, and cook into a thin congee. Take it warm in one dose in the morning and evening each day, with 10 days as one course of treatment.
[Effects] Strengthens the spleen, removes dampness, and relieves pain. It is contraindicated for those with heavy menstrual flow and for pregnant women, and those with insufficient middle qi should not take this product.
3. Niuxi Tea
[Composition] 5 grams of Niuxi, 3 grams of scented tea.
[Usage] Brew with 200 milliliters of boiling water and drink, continuing to brew and drink until the flavor fades.
[Effects] Invigorates the blood and removes stasis, dissolves abscesses and reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Treats abdominal pain due to blood stasis, postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis obstruction, traumatic injuries, hematuria, strangury, and amenorrhea.
4. Niuxi Wine
[Composition] One liang of Niuxi (cut).
[Usage] Decoct the above with two cups of clear wine until seven parts remain. Remove the dregs and take in three warm doses, twice a day, until recovery.
[Effects] Treats mouth sores in children.
5. Niuxi Paste
[Composition] 4 liang of Niuxi, 1 liang of peach kernel, 2 liang of angelica tail, 1.5 liang of red peony root, 1.5 liang of raw rehmannia, 5 qian of chuanxiong.
[Usage] Add water and slowly simmer over charcoal fire until 2 zhong remain, add a little musk, divide into 4 doses, and take on an empty stomach. If in summer, replace with cool water; this paste will not spoil.
[Effects] Mainly treats strangury caused by dead blood.