What are the benefits and effects of Homalomena occulta? A detailed explanation

Qiannianjian, also known by other names such as Qiannianjian and Nianjian, is the dried rhizome of Homalomena occulta, a perennial herb of the genus Homalomena in the Araceae family. When used as medicine, it has the effects of dispelling wind-dampness, strengthening sinews and bones, and relieving pain and swelling, and it has therapeutic effects on conditions such as wind-cold-dampness impediment, cold pain in the waist and knees, contracture and numbness, and flaccidity and weakness of sinews and bones. Now let us take a look at the benefits and effects of Homalomena occulta!

Medicinal value of Homalomena occulta

[Nature and flavor] Bitter and pungent in flavor, warm in nature.

[Meridian entry] Liver and kidney meridians.

[Effects] Dispels wind-dampness, strengthens sinews and bones, relieves pain and swelling. It mainly treats wind-cold-dampness impediment, cold pain in the waist and knees, contracture and numbness, and flaccidity and weakness of sinews and bones.

Related discussions on Homalomena occulta

1. "Manual of Chinese Medicinal Materials": Treats wind-induced pain, flaccidity and weakness of sinews and bones, and hemiplegia.

2. "Bencao Zaixin": Treats abscesses, flaccidity, sores and carbuncles, kills worms and removes toxins, reduces swelling and discharges pus.

3. "Gangmu Shiyi": Strengthens sinews and bones; soaked in wine, it stops stomach pain; taken ground with wine.

4. "Ganyuan Xiaoshi": Can be used in medicinal wine; most suitable for the elderly with wind-induced pain.

5. "Yinpian Xincan": Enters the blood aspect, dispels wind-dampness and impediment pain, strengthens sinews and bones, and treats aching pain of the limbs and joints.

Medicinal effects of Homalomena occulta

1. Dispelling wind and expelling impediment: This herb is bitter and pungent in flavor and warm in nature. It enters the lung, liver, and kidney meridians, and has the effects of dispelling wind and dredging collaterals, expelling impediment and relieving pain. It is often used for wind-dampness impediment pain, aching pain of the limbs and joints, and other diseases.

2. Strengthening sinews and bones: This herb is pungent and warm, and enters the liver and kidney meridians. Pungency can disperse and can move qi and blood; warmth can dispel cold. It has the effects of nourishing and activating blood, and by entering the liver and kidney meridians, it has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it can treat patterns such as weakness and powerlessness of the lower limbs, soreness and weakness of the waist and spine, inability to stand for long periods, seminal emission or enuresis, red tongue with little coating, and thin rapid pulse, which arise because liver and kidney deficiency prevents essence and blood from nourishing the sinews, bones, and meridians. Using Homalomena occulta to tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen sinews and bones can eliminate all these symptoms.

3. Harmonizing the stomach and relieving pain: "Suwen · Ju Tong Lun Pian": “When cold pathogens lodge between the stomach and intestines, below the membrane source, and blood cannot disperse, the small collaterals contract acutely, hence pain.” The symptoms include sudden onset of stomach pain, aversion to cold and preference for warmth, reduction of pain in the epigastrium and abdomen when warmed, increase of pain upon exposure to cold, preference for hot drinks, white tongue coating, and taut tight pulse. Treatment should use Homalomena occulta to warm the middle and dispel cold, harmonize the stomach, and relieve pain, with remarkable effects.

4. Reducing swelling and discharging pus: "Waike Dacheng · Rib Section": “Directly below the axilla at the hip bone is governed by the ministerial fire of the foot shaoyang and foot jueyin meridians. When the qi of these two meridians is unbalanced, wind-fire struggles internally. When nutritive qi rebels and blood becomes stagnated, heat accumulates and generates swelling and pain.” The symptoms include an initial lesion like a plum or chestnut, which then gradually enlarges, or becomes highly swollen like a bowl, red and painful, extending to the shoulder and back, with aversion to cold and fever that linger without subsiding, until the flesh rots and pus ulcerates. The pus is difficult to discharge. Treatment should use Homalomena occulta to support the interior and discharge pus, reduce swelling and dissipate nodules, with the best effects.

Medicinal formulas of Homalomena occulta

1. To treat weakness of sinews and bones and numbness of the hands and feet in the elderly: Homalomena occulta, prepared rehmannia, angelica, goji berry, Acanthopanax gracilistylus bark, Dipsacus asper, cinnamon heart, Angelica pubescens, Notopterygium incisum, Chinese yam, and Atractylodes lancea. Decoct in water and take.

2. To treat pain of sinews and bones and numbness of the limbs: Homalomena occulta, safflower, angelica tail, Taxillus chinensis, Phryma leptostachya, Drynaria fortunei, Erythrina bark, and Trachelospermum jasminoides. Decoct in water and take.

3. To treat stomach pain in the elderly: Homalomena occulta, Cyperus rotundus, Alpinia officinarum, chicken gizzard lining, Aucklandia lappa, Amomum villosum, tangerine peel, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. Decoct in water and take.

4. To treat abscesses, boils, and sores: Homalomena occulta, pangolin scales, and wild chrysanthemum. Decoct in water and take.

5. To secure essence and strengthen bones: Homalomena occulta, Polygala tenuifolia core, white Poria with spirit, and angelica body in equal parts. Grind into powder, refine with honey into pills the size of wutong seeds, and take 50 pills with wine each time. In this formula, Homalomena occulta dispels wind-dampness and strengthens sinews and bones, serving as the sovereign drug.

6. To treat cold-dampness knee pain and waist pain in frail elderly people, especially those with stiff and painful waist and spine and difficulty bending and stretching: Homalomena occulta, Cyathula officinalis, Piper kadsura, and Chaenomeles speciosa 9 grams each, mulberry twig 15 grams, Eucommia ulmoides 9 grams, Gentiana macrophylla and cassia twig 6 grams each, prepared rehmannia 12 grams, angelica body 9 grams, and tiger bone glue (melted) 6 grams. Decoct in water and take. In this formula, Homalomena occulta dispels wind-dampness, strengthens sinews and bones, and stops impediment pain, serving as the sovereign drug.