Pinyin: Pugongying
Aliases
Jinzancao, Gourucao, Huanghuadiding
Source
Asteraceae plant *Taraxacum* (Dandelion).Taraxacum mongolicum1. Hand.-Mazz., alkali dandelion.Taraxacum borealisinenseDried whole herb of Kitam.
Botanical Description
1. For pneumonia: Pugongying 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.
2. Alkaline-soil dandelion: leaflets are regularly pinnatifid. Involucral bracts without horn-like protrusions at the apex; corolla yellow; achenes lanceolate, approximately 4 mm long, beak 4-5.5 mm long.
Habitat and Distribution
Dandelion grows on hillside grasslands, roadsides, riverbanks, sandy areas, and fields; it is distributed in Northeast, North, East, Central, Southwest China, as well as Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai. Saline dandelion grows in slightly damp saline-alkali soils or open fields; it is distributed in Northeast, North China, and Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Henan.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested from spring to autumn when flowers first bloom, remove impurities, wash clean, and sun-dry.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains taraxasterol, taraxacin, taraxerol, caffeic acid, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Has anti-pathogenic microbial effects, anti-tumor, anti-gastric ulcer, cholagogue and hepatoprotective effects. At low concentrations, it directly excites the isolated frog heart, while at high concentrations, it exhibits inhibitory effects. It can increase the tone of the isolated duodenum and strengthen its contractility. Clinically, it is considered to have stomach-tonifying and mild laxative effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, sweet, and cold. Enters the Liver and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, reduces swelling, and dissipates nodules; promotes urination and treats painful urinary dribbling. Used for furuncles, abscesses, and toxic swellings; breast abscess (mastitis); scrofula; red eyes; sore throat; lung abscess; intestinal abscess; damp-heat jaundice; and painful, difficult urination due to heat.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 10-30 g, up to 60 g in large doses; or crush to extract juice; or use in powder form. External use: apply an appropriate amount of the crushed herb as a poultice.
Precautions and Contraindications
Use with caution in cases that are not of Excess-Heat pattern or Yin-type abscesses.
Prescriptions
1. For acute mastitis at early stage: Pugongying (Dandelion) 30 g, Rendongteng (Honeysuckle Stem) 60 g, Shenggancao (Raw Licorice) 6 g. Decoct in two bowls of water down to one bowl, take before meals. (From "Dong Tian Ao Zhi", Yingteng Decoction). 2. For acute conjunctivitis: Pugongying 30 g, Juhua (Chrysanthemum) 9 g, Bohe (Peppermint) 6 g (added later), Cheqianzi (Plantain Seed) 12 g (wrapped in cloth). Decoct and take orally. (From "Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine"). 3. For urethritis: Pugongying 15 g, Cheqiancao (Plantain Herb) 15 g, Qumai (Dianthus) 15 g, Rendongteng 9 g, Shiwei (Pyrrosia) 4 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From "Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual"). 4. For osteomyelitis: Pugongying 60 g, Quanxie (Scorpion) 1 piece, Wugong (Centipede) 1 piece. Grind into coarse powder, soak in 250 ml of white liquor for 3-5 days. Take in divided doses. (From "Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual"). 5. For burns and scalds: Wash Pugongying root, crush to extract juice, apply to affected area after it solidifies. (From "Changbai Mountain Plant Medicine Records"). 6. For acute biliary tract infection: Pugongying and Cizhencao (Bidens) 30 g each, Hai Jinsha (Lygodium Spores) and Lianqiancao (Glechoma) 15 g each, Yujin (Turmeric) 12 g, Chuanlianzi (Sichuan Chinaberry) 6 g. Decoct twice, concentrate to 150 ml. Take 50 ml per dose, 3 times daily. (From "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine"). 7. For acute appendicitis: Pugongying 30 g, Diercao (Hypericum) 15 g, Banbianlian (Lobelia) 15 g, Zelan (Lycopus) 9 g, Qingmuxiang (Aristolochia Root) 9 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine"). 8. For chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer: Dried Pugongying root and Diyu (Burnet) root in equal parts. Grind to powder, take 6 g per dose, 3 times daily, with ginger water. (From "Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines of Nanjing Region").
