What are the effects and functions of Maoyancao (Euphorbia esula, leafy spurge)?

Maoyancao, also known as Rujiang Daji, Lanbayan, Rujiangcao and so on, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Euphorbia in the family Euphorbiaceae. Used as medicine, it has the effects of relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, dispersing masses, expelling water, drawing out toxin and killing parasites, and has therapeutic effects on phlegm-fluid cough and asthma, edema, scrofula, scabies and ringworm, and unnamed swellings and sores. Let us take a look at the effects and functions of Maoyancao together below!

The medicinal effects of Maoyancao

[Nature and flavor] Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, toxic.

[Meridian entry] Lung and liver meridians.

[Effects] Relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, dispersing masses, expelling water, drawing out toxin and killing parasites; mainly for phlegm-fluid cough and asthma, edema, scrofula, scabies and ringworm, and unnamed swellings and sores.

The pharmacological actions of Maoyancao

1. Maoyancao has an anti-tumor effect and is used for accumulated toxic masses of cancer.

2. Maoyancao has an antitussive effect on cough induced by ammonia water in mice.

3. Maoyancao was proven by the phenol red method in mice to have an expectorant effect, but it has no preventive effect on histamine-induced asthma in guinea pigs.

4. Animal tests have proven that Maoyancao has anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.

5. Maoyancao alcohol infusion and water decoction have an inhibitory effect on tubercle bacilli in test tubes, and also have an inhibitory effect on pneumococcus, alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.

Medicinal selected prescriptions for Maoyancao

1. To treat phlegm-fluid and edema: decoct 18 g of Maoyancao in water 3 times, combine the decoctions and simmer into a paste; take 6 g each time, finish within 3 days, taken with yellow wine.

2. To treat various kinds of tuberculosis: boil 30 g each of Maoyancao and Langdu in water, simmer the juice into a paste, pound together with 30 g of steamed jujube flesh to make pills the size of Firmiana seeds. Take 9 g each time, divided into 3 doses after meals, taken with warm boiled water.

3. To treat ringworm sores with itching: grind Maoyancao into powder, mix with sesame oil or peanut oil or lard and apply to the affected area.

4. To treat gastric cancer: decoct 3 g each of Maoyancao and Langdu, 15 g each of Jixueteng and Yimi, and 30 g of Banzhilian in water and take.

5. To treat esophageal cancer: make an extract dry powder from 30 g each of Maoyancao and Banlangen, 3 g of Naosha, 6 g of artificial cow-bezoar, 9 g of prepared Nanxing and 10 g of Weilingxian; take 1.5 g each time, 4 times a day.

6. To treat thyroid cancer: decoct 6 g of Maoyancao and 3 g of Langdu in water for 30 minutes, remove the residue, crack in 2 eggs, and eat them together with the soup after they are cooked, 1 dose a day; in addition, pound fresh Maoyancao into a paste and apply externally (remove after a burning sensation), which can relieve symptoms and gradually shrink the tumor.

7. To treat breast cancer: make an extract dry powder from 30 g each of Maoyancao, Jinyinhua and Wangbuliuxing, add 0.6 g of borneol and 12 g of Zijinding and grind evenly; take 1.5-3 g each time, 4 times a day, taken with warm boiled water.

8. To treat cervical lymph node tuberculosis that has broken open into a fistula: decoct Maoyancao into a paste and apply an appropriate amount externally to the affected area.