Leycesteria formosa Wall.
Aliases：Guǐ Chuī Shào (literally "Ghost Whistle"), Lái Sè Mù (literally "Lai‑colored Wood" — local transliteration, meaning uncertain), Chuī Gǔ Qīng (literally "Drum‑Blowing Clear"), Pào Zhǎng Tǒng (literally "Bamboo‑Tube Pocket"), Pào Zhú Tǒng (literally "Firecracker Tube"), Guǐ Zhú Zi (literally "Ghost Bamboo"), Dà Bǐ Gān Cǎo (literally "Large Pen‑Stem Grass"), Kōng Xīn Cǎo (literally "Hollow‑Stem Grass"), Hóu Jú Zi (literally "Monkey Orange"), Méi Zhú Yè (literally "Plum Bamboo Leaf"), Jīn Jī Yī Bǎ Suǒ (literally "Golden Chicken with a Lock"), Dà Zhuī Fēng (literally "Great Wind‑Chaser"), and Yě Lú Chái (literally "Wild Reed Firewood"). (These are all alternative names for Kōng Xīn Mù, i.e., the stem, leaf, or root of Leycesteria formosa and L. formosa var. stenosepala.)
Kōng Xīn Mù (Hollow Wood) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the stem, leaf, or root of Leycesteria formosa Wall. and Leycesteria formosa Wall. var. stenosepala Rehd., plants belonging to the genus Leycesteria of the family Caprifoliaceae. It is recorded in Guizhou Caoyao (Guizhou Herbal Medicine), Yunnan Zhongcaoyao (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine), Quanguo Zhongcaoyao Huibian (Compilation of National Chinese Herbal Medicines), and other sources.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes diuresis, clears heat, activates blood, and stops bleeding.
Indications
Damp‑heat jaundice, rheumatic arthralgia, asthma, irregular menstruation, traumatic bleeding, cystitis, and fracture injuries.
Modern Pharmacology
Its traditional effects are primarily centered around promoting diuresis, clearing heat, activating blood, and stopping bleeding.
Ingredients
The whole plant contains luteolin-5-glucoside.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g; or steep in wine for oral use. For topical application: apply an appropriate amount, mashed; or decoct in water for external washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For strain injury (Guizhou Herbal Medicine) Take equal parts of Guichuishao root (a local herb), Matiye root (Aster souliei, also known as Tu Ziyuan), and Ciwujia root (Acanthopanax senticosus). Soak in 5 times the amount of wine. Take 30g of the medicinal wine before bedtime daily. For traumatic bleeding and fractures (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take the fresh whole plant of Paozhangtong (also known as Kongxinmu, a local herb), crush it, and apply externally to the affected area.
Medicinal Parts
It is the stem, leaf, or root of Leycesteria formosa Wall. and Leycesteria formosa Wall. var. stenosepala Rehd., plants belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
