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TCM Treasures - Kalimeris indica
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Kalimeris indica
Simplified Chinese: 马兰头 Pinyin: mǎ lán tóu
Malan tou (Kalimeris indica), a common wild vegetable that matures in spring, is also a TCM herb. It is commonly used to tackle pathogenic heat-related problems, and it is also effective in stopping bleeding.
Qian Yi, a famous pediatrician in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), saved a boy bitten by poisonous snake with this wild vegetable found on the dinner table.
The boy was taken by his mother to Qian, who begged him for help. Qian checked the wound but all the pharmacies were closed. Malan tou, which detoxifies, caught his eye on the dinner table. He gave the mother a big bunch of fresh malan tou and Qian told her to smash one portion and spread the juice on the wound, and have the boy eat the rest at three meals.
The portion for eating should be boiled with water, filtered and mixed with sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar.
The mother followed Qian’s advice, and the boy’s pain was largely relieved the next day. The wound healed gradually.
Malan tou is recorded as a hemostatic in TCM that can be used both internally and externally. It is also a mildly “cold” herb that helps dispel pathogenic heat, promote urination, detoxify and relieve inflammation. It is often used for relieving high blood pressure.
Malan tou is not advised for pregnant women due to possible miscarriage.
Prescription & Usage:
Relieving passing blood
• Cook decoction with 30g malan tou and 30g lizhi cao (Salvia plebeia); drink.
Relieving acute inflammations like faucitis, tonsillitis and paradentitis
• Cook decoction with 60-120g fresh malan tou; drink.
Relieving mastitis
• Smash fresh malan tou. Add a little salt and rice vinegar and stir into smooth paste.
• Spread the paste on inflammation. Cook decoction with 30-60g fresh malan tou for oral application.
Relieving aching eye due to high blood pressure
• Cook decoction with 30g malan tou and 15g dihuang (Radix rehmanniae).
• Divide into two portions, drink two a day.
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