What Are the Benefits and Precautions of Pseudostellaria Heterophylla Root?

Pseudostellaria heterophylla has the effect of treating spleen and stomach weakness. It has a certain role in regulating and treating indigestion and loss of appetite caused by insufficient stomach qi. It can also be used to treat symptoms such as excessive sweating due to deficiency heat, palpitations, and insomnia. However, when using Pseudostellaria heterophylla, it is also necessary to understand relevant contraindications.

1. It treats food intolerance and fatigue caused by spleen qi weakness and insufficient stomach yin. It can benefit the spleen qi and nourish the stomach yin. It is often used in combination with yam and dendrobium. However, its effect of nourishing spleen qi is not as strong as codonopsis.

2. It treats dry cough due to lung deficiency caused by qi deficiency and injury to body fluids, as well as palpitations, insomnia, and excessive sweating due to deficiency heat. It can invigorate qi and promote the production of body fluids. When treating dry cough due to qi deficiency and lung dryness, it is often used in combination with Glehnia littoralis and Ophiopogon japonicus. When treating palpitations, insomnia, and excessive sweating due to both qi and yin deficiency, it is often used in combination with wild jujube seed and schisandra chinensis. However, its ability to invigorate qi, nourish yin, and promote the production of body fluids is weaker than American ginseng.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is a plant of the Caryophyllaceae family, which belongs to a different genus from ginseng. Although its effects are similar to ginseng, its medicinal effect is weaker and requires continuous large dosages to achieve results.

3. Pseudostellaria heterophylla tastes sweet, slightly bitter, and neutral. It belongs to the spleen and lung meridians. It has a moist and harmonious nature, invigorates qi, and promotes the production of body fluids. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency with poor appetite, fatigue, palpitations with spontaneous sweating, lung deficiency with cough, and thirst due to deficiency of body fluids.

It is not suitable for patients with hypertension, nephritis, or gastritis to consume large amounts of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. Pregnant women should also be cautious when using it. Additionally, some contraindicated drugs include Asarum, white peony root, and veratrum nigrum.