Medicinal Properties and Application Efficacy of Epimedium
An introduction to the spice plant Epimedium, detailing its medicinal properties and application efficacy, is sure to be of help to you. Let's learn about it together!
Epimedium is also known as: sheep's horn leaf, Xianlingpi, Sanzhi JiuYe grass, Gangqian, Ganji jin, Tielingjiao
Category: Herbaceous plants
Origin: Epimedium grows in the mountains, under bamboo groves, and in the crevices of rocks by the side of mountain roads. Mainly produced in Hubei, Sichuan, and Zhejiang, China.
Medicinal Properties: Large-leaf Epimedium: The stem is thin and cylindrical, about 20 cm long, with a yellowish green or light yellow surface and a lustrous appearance. Opposite leaves are two-pinnate compound leaves; the leaflets are ovate, 3 to 8 cm long, and 2 to 6 cm wide; the apex is slightly pointed, the terminal leaflet base is cordate, the lateral leaflets are smaller, obliquely cordate, the outer side is larger, and the margin has yellow spiny fine sawtooth; the upper surface is yellowish green, the lower surface is grayish green, there are 7 to 9 main veins, the base has sparse long fine hairs, the fine veins are prominent on both sides, and the reticulate veins are distinct; the petiole is 1 to 5 cm long. The leaves are nearly leathery. Odorless, taste slightly bitter.
Arrow-leaf Epimedium: It is a simple three-pinnate compound leaf, the leaflets are ovate, 4-12 cm long, and 2.5-5 cm wide, the apex is very pointed or acuminate, the base of the lateral leaflets is arrow-shaped on the outer side, and the leaves are leathery.
Small-leaf Epimedium: The leaflets are larger, 4-10 cm long, and 3.5-7 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, and the leaves are thinner.
Hharvesting and Processing: Harvest in summer and autumn when the stems and leaves are lush, remove the thick stems and impurities, dry in the sun or in the shade. Cut into shreds for fresh use or fry with sheep fat oil. Common Names: Also known as Xianlingpi, Fangzhangcao, Qizhangcao, Qianliangjin, Ganji jin, Huanglianzu, Sanzhi JiuYe grass, Gangcao. Flavor: Pungent, cold, non-toxic.
Epimedium Indications: 1. Kidney Yang tonifying: For kidney Yang insufficiency, impotence, frequent urination, female infertility, and weak tendons and bones. 2. Wind-dampness eliminating: Can treat wind-cold-dampness arthritis, lumbar pain, and limb numbness. Dosage: 10-15g. Precautions: Not suitable for those with Yin deficiency with excessive fire, especially for those with kidney Yang insufficiency. If this medicine really needs to be taken, it must be used under the dialectical treatment of a TCM practitioner. Epimedium is mainly used clinically to treat reproductive, osteoarticular, and respiratory system diseases. Epimedium combined with prepared rehmannia, angelica, atractylodes, wolfberry, eucommia, xianmao, Morinda, cornus, cnidium, Allium tuberosum, Cistanche, prepared aconite, cinnamon is called "Zanyu Dan," which can treat impotence and premature ejaculation. Epimedium combined with clematis, xanthium, and Szechwan lovage can treat joint pain. Epimedium, regardless of quantity, decocted for mouthwash, can treat toothache. Taking Epimedium with dwarf tea can treat chronic bronchitis, and its expectorant and antitussive effects are more obvious. Taking Epimedium with astragalus, codonopsis, aconite, asarum, and ephedra together can treat sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block.
Epimedium is warm in nature, its taste is pungent and sweet, and it enters the liver and kidney meridians. Its efficacy includes kidney Yang tonifying, wind-dampness eliminating, and lowering blood pressure. Epimedium can be combined with Cynomorium, Cnidium, etc., with additional codonopsis, Morinda for men, and prepared rehmannia, angelica, Szechwan lovage, and white peony for women; it is generally used with Taxillus, Qinjiao for treating rheumatism, and with Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, Xianmao, and Morinda for those with kidney Yang deficiency and high blood pressure. Modern pharmacological research has proven that Epimedium has the effect of lowering blood pressure, mainly due to the dilation of peripheral blood vessels. Epimedium extract has the effect of promoting sexual function hyperactivity and seminal secretion.
Epimedium stems and leaves contain epimedium glycosides and volatile oils. It has been confirmed that Epimedium has androgen-like effects, which are stronger than those of Gecko and sea horses. Clinical trials show that it promotes seminal secretion, fills the seminal vesicles with semen, and in turn stimulates sensory nerves, thereby stimulating sexual desire and causing (Y-J) erection. At the same time, Epimedium can inhibit the vasomotor center, dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and has antitussive, expectorant, and asthma-relieving effects. It also has significant inhibitory effects on the polio virus, Staphylococcus albus, and Staphylococcus aureus.
However, it should be noted that those with symptoms such as dry mouth, hot palms and soles, hot flashes, and night sweats, belonging to the TCM category of Yin deficiency with excessive fire, should not take Epimedium.
The above [] introduces the complete content of the medicinal properties and application efficacy of Epimedium, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!