Pinyin: Yimucao
Aliases
Chouhui, Yuemucao, Yimu'ai
Source
Plant of the Lamiaceae family, *Leonurus japonicus* (Yi Mu Cao).Leonurus japonicusFresh or dried aerial parts of Houtt.
Botanical Description
See item under "Chongweizi" (Fructus Leonuri).
Harvesting and Processing
Fresh product harvested during the seedling stage in spring to early summer before flowering; dried product harvested in summer when stems and leaves are lush, flowers are not yet open or just beginning to open, sun-dried, or cut into segments and sun-dried.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains leonurus diterpenoids, pre-leonurus diterpenoids, stachydrine, and leonurine.
Pharmacology
It has the effect of contracting uterine smooth muscle; can significantly increase ischemic myocardial coronary blood flow and slow heart rate; inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombosis, enhances cellular immune function; at low doses stimulates the respiratory center, at high doses inhibits it; at low doses relaxes the tone of isolated intestinal segments and increases amplitude, at high doses decreases amplitude and increases frequency; has significant effects on treating acute renal failure in the early ischemic stage, with a noticeable increase in urine output. Exhibits curare-like effects on neuromuscular preparations. Has some inhibitory effects on dermatophytes in vitro. At higher concentrations, it causes hemolysis in blood suspensions.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, acrid, and slightly cold. Enters the Liver, Pericardium, and Bladder channels.
Functions and Indications
Activates Blood, regulates menstruation, promotes urination, reduces edema, clears Heat, and resolves toxicity. Used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, prolonged lochia, edema with decreased urination, and sores and abscesses with swelling and toxicity.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 10-15 g, or made into paste, pills, or powder. External use: apply appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing or crush fresh herb for poultice.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Yin deficiency with Blood deficiency, excessive menstruation, or dilated pupils.
Prescriptions
1. For dysmenorrhea: Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) 30 g, Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 9 g. Decoct in water and take with wine. (Fujian Materia Medica) 2. For postpartum blood stasis pain: Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) and Zelan (Herba Lycopi) 30 g each, red amaranth 120 g, wine 120 ml. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fujian Materia Medica) 3. For infantile malnutrition with diarrhea and hemorrhoids: Boil Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) leaves into porridge and eat; also drink the juice, which is equally effective. (Shi Yi Xin Jian) 4. For infantile nasal chancre with itching: Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) root powder 0.3 g, musk 3 g, starch 0.3 g, lithargyrum 0.3 g. Grind all ingredients into a fine powder and apply dry directly inside the nose for immediate effect. (Sheng Hui Fang) 5. For deafness: One handful of Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) (washed). Grind to extract the juice and drip a small amount into the ear. (Sheng Ji Zong Lu) 6. For postpartum retention of lochia: Pound Yimucao (Herba Leonuri) and squeeze to extract the juice. Take one small cup each time, add one measure of wine, warm slightly, stir well, and take. (Sheng Hui Fang) 7. For severe furuncle swelling: Crush the stems and leaves of Yimucao (Herba Leonuri), apply as a poultice over the sore, and also squeeze out five measures of the juice to take orally; the swelling will then subside internally. (Sheng Hui Fang)
