This product is the dried pseudobulb of the orchid plants Cremastra appendiculata, Pleione bulbocodioides, or Pleione yunnanensis. The former is commonly known as "Mao Ci Gu," while the latter two are referred to as "Bing Qiu Zi." It is harvested in summer and autumn, with the above-ground parts removed, sorted by size, boiled in water until thoroughly cooked, and then dried.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet and slightly acrid, cold, slightly toxic. Act on liver and stomach meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Clearing heat and removing toxins, dispersing abscesses and resolving nodules.

bubble_chart Indications

1. is used for Yongju back gangrene, boil and sore ulcers, malignant swelling, scrofula, and subcutaneous nodules. This herb has a pungent taste that can disperse and a cold nature that can clear heat, thus it has the effects of clearing heat and removing toxins, as well as dispersing abscesses and resolving nodules. It is often used in combination with Realgar, Cinnabar, musk, and other toxin-removing and ulcer-treating herbs, such as Purple Gold Troch, and can be taken orally or applied externally.
2. is used for abdominal masses and stuffiness. This herb has the effects of removing toxins, dispersing nodules, and reducing swelling. In recent years, it has been widely used for abdominal masses and various tumors. For example, when combined with ground beetle, Pangolin Scales, and mole cricket (Gryllotalpa), it forms a compound formula used to treat liver cirrhosis, achieving significant effects in softening the liver and spleen and restoring liver function. When combined with Chinese manyleaf paris rhizome, Salvia, charred Gardenia, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Bupleurum, and Prunella, it forms a compound formula that has shown good results in treating thyroid tumors.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bencao Shiyi: "For treating abscesses, sores, scrofula, subcutaneous nodes, etc., grind and apply with vinegar to remove skin maggots."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Mainly treats swelling, attacks toxins, breaks skin, resolves various poisons, and injuries from snakes, insects, and rabid dogs."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

3-6 grams. Decoct for oral use, reduce by half when used in pills or powder. Apply an appropriate amount for external use.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Use with caution in cases of weak constitution and deficiency.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb contains mucilage and gluco-mannitol polysaccharides. Both Tulipa edulis and Lijiang Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb contain various alkaloids, including colchicine. The colchicine found in Tulipa edulis and Lijiang Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb, as well as its synthetic derivative colchicine amine formed after the addition of ammonia, exhibit anti-tumor effects similar to vinblastine. Colchicine also has sedative and hypnotic synergistic effects. Additionally, this herb has antitussive, antiasthmatic, and analgesic properties.

Lijiang Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb and Tulipa edulis are highly toxic, and overdose can cause poisoning (Lijiang Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb: 0.6–0.9g per dose). Prolonged use in large amounts may lead to gastrointestinal adverse reactions, polyneuritis, leukopenia, and other side effects. The bulbs of Tulipa edulis, a plant in the Lily family, are also used as Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb. Similarly, the bulbs of Lijiang Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb, a Lily family plant, are used as Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb in Yunnan. Both of these medicinal materials are referred to as Tulipa edulis. Due to the presence of colchicine and other alkaloids, which are effective anti-cancer substances, Tulipa edulis has been widely used in recent years to treat various cancers. However, its strong toxicity and the narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic doses require further improvement.