What Are the Benefits and Effects of Heichou?

Black Ugly, also known as Black and White Ugly or Cowherb Seed, is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It has various effects including promoting urination and eliminating edema, relieving constipation, killing parasites, and removing accumulation. It can be used as an adjuvant treatment for conditions such as edema, abdominal distension, cough, asthmatic suffocation, chronic bronchitis, acute pneumonia, obstructive pulmonary emphysema, and digestive diseases. However, Black Ugly has a certain degree of toxicity, and its use should follow the doctor's instructions.

1. Relieving constipation: The chemical properties of cowherb glycoside in Black Ugly are similar to those of laxatives, and it has a strong laxative effect. When cowherb glycoside encounters bile and intestinal juice in the intestine, it can decompose into cowherbine, which can stimulate the intestine, enhance peristalsis, and achieve the effect of lubricating the intestines and relieving constipation.

2. Diuretic and water-eliminating: Black Ugly can enhance kidney metabolism function and has a diuretic effect. It can be used to treat water retention, edema, and urination difficulties. It can be used alone in powdered form, or combined with other herbs such as Kansui Root or Rhubarb to enhance its diuretic effect in cases of severe ascites.

3. Digestive accumulation: Black Ugly is effective in treating gastrointestinal stagnation, constipation, or diarrhea with urgent and severe symptoms. It can be combined with herbs such as Costus Root, Betel Nut, and Bitter Orange to eliminate accumulation and relieve constipation.

4. Antiparasitic: The cowherb glycoside and its derivatives in Black Ugly have antiparasitic effects, especially effective in driving out intestinal roundworms.

5. Laxative: The chemical properties of cowherb glycoside are similar to those of laxatives, and it has a strong laxative effect. When cowherb glycoside encounters bile and intestinal juice in the intestine, it decomposes into cowherbine, stimulating the intestine, enhancing peristalsis, and resulting in laxation. Laxation usually occurs within 3 hours after ingestion, and large doses may lead to watery stool.