Analgesic ⁽³³⁾

Songjie (Pine Nodule, Lignum Pini Nodi) is the knot of the branches of Pinaceae species such as Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus massoniana, Pinus densiflora, and Pinus yunnanensis. As an easily obtained analgesic plant, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since early times. TCM holds…

In the Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue) by the Ming-dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue, there is a prescription called Chaihu Baihu Jian, composed of: Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) 2 qian (6 g), Gypsum (Shigao) 3 qian (9 g), Radix Scutellariae (Huangqin) 2 qian (6 g),…

Wuzhuyu (Evodia) is the nearly ripe dried fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (Evodia rutaecarpa), Evodia officinalis, or Evodia bodinieri of the Rutaceae family. It should not be left to fully ripen before harvesting; it is collected in July-August when the fruit is tea-green and the carpels…

In the "Surgery Volume" of the *Standards of Patterns and Treatment* (Zhengzhi Zhunsheng), there is a formula named "Zhitong Yao" (Painkilling Medicine). Its composition is: 30g each (1 liang) of Chinese angelica (Danggui), Achyranthes root (Niuxi), Sichuan lovage rhizome (Chuanxiong), unprocessed rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), red…

Yiyeqiu (Securinega suffruticosa) is the tender leafy branch or root of the plant Securinega suffruticosa (family Euphorbiaceae, genus Securinega). It is a folk herb commonly used in China. It dispels wind and activates blood, and supplements the kidneys and strengthens the sinews; it is mainly…

Huajiao (Sichuan pepper) is the dried ripe fruit of the Rutaceae plants Zhujiao (Zanthoxylum schinifolium) or Huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum). It contains volatile oil, terpenoids, amino acids, minerals and protein. The volatile oil of Sichuan pepper is the main source of its aroma, and contains chiefly…

Shugan Yin comes from Lu Fu Jin Fang (Forbidden Formulas of the Lu Princely Household). It consists of Huanglian (coptis) 2 qian (6 g, stir-fried with evodia juice), Danggui (angelica) and Chaihu (bupleurum) each 1.5 qian (4.5 g), Qingpi (green tangerine peel) 1 qian (3…

In Waike Zhengzhi Quansheng Ji, by the Qing-dynasty surgeon Wang Hongxu, there is an external swelling-reducing and pain-relieving formula called 'Yibi Xiao.' It consists of: Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 60 g, Tenghuang (Gamboge) 30 g, Mingfan (alum) and Chansu (Bufonis Venenum) each 15 g,…

Dr. Pu Fuzhou had an empirical formula for rapid pain relief called 'Sansheng Qutong Fang' (Three-Raw Pain-Dispelling Formula). It consists of equal parts raw Wutou (Aconiti Radix; Caowu/Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix may also be used), raw Tiannanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) and raw Baifuzi (Typhonii Rhizoma). Preparation: grind…

The Chinese medicinal Bajiaolian is the root and rhizome of Berberidaceae plants Dysosma versipellis, Dysosma pleiantha and Dysosma veitchii. Dysosma versipellis and Dysosma veitchii look similar: their leaves divide into eight parts, resembling eight angles, hence the name Bajiaolian (eight-angle lotus). Dysosma pleiantha's leaf divides…