Tectaria, Dao Di Wu Gong 倒地蜈蚣

Dao Di Wu Gong (TCM)
Kamraj (Unani)

Tectaria zeylanica
Hooker, W.J., Garden ferns (1862)

Botanical name:

Tectaria zeylanica (syn Helminthostachys zeylanica, Ophioglossum zeylanicum)
T. macrodonta (syn. T. coadunata) appears to be used similarly in Nepal.

Parts used:

Rhizome
In some parts the fronds are used along with the rhizome.

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry. Bitter

Classification:

B. Clears Heat and Toxin

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison, Reduces Swelling: (Ayurveda, TCM)

-acute Sore Throat, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis
-Abscesses, Carbuncles, Toxic Sores
-Malaria, Leprosy, Syphilis (Bangladesh)
-acute Diarrhea, Dysentery (Ayurveda, TCM, Nepal)
-Venomous Snake and Scorpion Bite (Ayurveda, TCM)

2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough: (Ayurveda, TCM)

-Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma with sticky, yellow phlegm
-Pneumonia, Whooping Cough (Bangladesh)
-Pulmonary Tuberculosis,

3. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis: (Ayurveda, TCM)

-Headache, Abdominal Pain
-Menstrual diseases, Menopause (Ayurveda)
-Pain and Swelling from Bruising and Trauma

4. Benefits Kidneys: (Unani)

-Impotence
-female tonic in leukorrhea

Dose:

Powder: 2–5 grams (typically 1 teaspoonful)
Decoction: 6–15 grams
In India, a paste of the rhizome and fronds is made with honey which is taken in teaspoonful doses.
The rhizome, young leaves and petiole are cooked and prepared as food in parts of Asia.

Main Combinations:

1. Fever from Heat and Toxin, Tectaria with Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Forsythia Lian Qiao, Isatis Ban Lan Gen
2. Dysentery:
i. Tectaria with Andrographis
ii. Tectaria with Coptis Huang Lian, Pulsatilla Bai Tou Weng
3. Impotence:
i. Tectaria rhizome with a little Pepper, prepared as a paste and taken with Milk. (Unani)
ii. Tectaria rhizome with Chlorophytum, Curculigo (equal parts), taken in teaspoonful doses. (Unani)

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

Generally Safe. Used as a food.

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