Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Medicine for Clearing Heat and Detoxication - Ma Chi Xian
        
                 
                            Ma Chi Xian      
                                                                                            
                                          Portulaca Herba
                                           Portulaceae


This herb is the whole plant of the annual juicy herb, Portulaca oleracea L. (Family Portulacacea, produced in both North and
South China. It is collected n summer, steamed for a short time or boiled a while, dried in sunlight, used fresh or unprepared.
Properties: Being sour in flavour, cold in nature, it acts on the large intestine and liver channels. The cold property has the
effects of removing heat from the blood and detoxicating, clearing bowels to cure dysentery. So it is mainly indicated for
dysentery due to dampness heat, the carbuncles and boils caused by noxious heat. In addition, it has also the functions of
stopping bleeding due to blood heat and removing heat from blood.
Effects: Clearing away heat, detoxicating, removing heat from blood and curing dysentery.
Indications:
1. For dysentery due to damp-heat, diarrhea with bloody arid burulent stool, it is used in combination with the herbs for
clearing away heat and drying dampess, such as Huang Qin (scutellaria root) and Huang Lian (coptis root).
2. For suppurative infections due to noxious heat, it can be taken orally for the decoction of this single herb, or in combination
with the heat clearing and detoxicating drugs, such as Zhi Zi (capejasmine fruit) and Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower).
Dosage and Administration: 30~60g. Double the dose when the fresh herb is used.
Modern Researches: The decoction of the herb inhibits in vitro growth of various species of Shigella, Salmonella typhi, and
Staphylococcus aureus. Its injection possesses the action of improving the contraction of uterine smooth muscle and
enhancing peristalsis. It also has diuretic effect. (Aidus & E-fong Herbal Solution)