Mutong, a traditional Chinese medicine name, is the dried vine stem of plants in the Mutong family, including Mutong, Sanye Mutong, or Bai Mutong. Harvest in autumn, cut off stems, remove twigs, and dry in the shade. This product is cylindrical, often slightly twisted, 30-1750px long, with a diameter of 0.5-50px. The surface is grayish brown to grayish brown, with a rough outer skin with many irregular cracks or longitudinal grooves, and protruding skin pores. The nodes are enlarged or inconspicuous, with lateral branch scars. Light in weight, solid in texture, not easily broken, uneven in cross-section, thick in yellow brown color with visible light yellow granular dots, and yellow white in wood with radiating rays. The pulp is small or sometimes hollow, yellow white or yellow brown in color, with a slight bitterness and astringency in taste.
The efficacy and function of Mutong
1. Reduce fire and diuresis
Mutong is known for its bitter cold, entering the heart, and bladder meridians. It can clear the heart and reduce fire in the upper part, diuretic and heat relieving in the lower part, and reduce dampness and heat in the lower part. Out of the urine. Used for those who experience drizzle, pain, or excessive heart fire, and move down to the small intestine, causing sores in the mouth and tongue, as well as restlessness and red urine.
2. Tongjing Xiaru
Mutong, according to the Compendium of Materia Medica, is used to treat "promoting the birth of lower cells" and "women with hemostasis. The menstrual cycle is uneven." It can also induce lactation. Mutong, walking and guarding, regulating menstruation, and lowering women's milk.
3. Diuretic and anti-inflammatory
The lungs are a source of water above the body, capable of regulating waterways and delivering to the bladder. Mutong clears lung heat, facilitates urination, and divides dampness and heat. Commonly used for edema caused by damp heat.
4. Huoxue Tongbi
Mutong bitter cold enters the blood and has the function of promoting the nine orifices, blood circulation and joints, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. It can be used to treat heat bi, which is caused by pathogenic heat blocking the meridians and joints, stagnation of qi and blood, resulting in joint pain, local burning and swelling, or accompanied by fever, evil wind, and restlessness. Mutong has bitter cold and clear circulation, promoting blood stasis and activating collaterals, and can be used to relieve joint stagnation. Dampness and heat can be eliminated.
5. Clearing heat and detoxifying
Mutong enters both Qi and Blood. Skilled in clearing heat and gill toxins, commonly used in surgery.