Mao Dong Qing
English Name: ilex pubescentis
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Ilicis Pubescentis
Medica Category: Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Removing Herbs
Properties: Mao Dong Qing enters the Heart channel; it is bitter and astringent in nature and neutral in temperature.
What is Mao Dong Qing?:
The Chinese Herb Mao Dong Qing is the dried, sliced root of a type of holly plant (downy holly– Ilex pubescens Hook et Arn.).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Mao Dong Qing:
Mao Dong Qing activates blood circulation and opens the channels and is used clinically to treat xiong bi (painful obstruction of the chest) and/or paralysis caused by blood stagnation that is secondary to heart disorders or stroke.
Mao Dong Qing clears heat and eliminates toxins in the interior levels of the body to address coughing and sore throat caused by lung heat. Topically this herb (in powdered form) can be used to treat burns.
–safety note:
Mao Dong Qing has a mild anticoagulant effect and should be used with caution in persons taking anticoagulant medications such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) and enoxaparin (Lovenox) or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix) as concurrent use may have an additive or synergistic effect.