葎草，中药名。为桑科植物葎草（Humulusscandens(Lour.)Merr.）的全草。9～10月收获，选晴天，收割地上部分，除去杂质，晒干。我国大部分地区有分布。生于路旁、沟边湿地，村寨篱笆上或林缘灌丛。苦、甘，性寒，归肺、肾经。具有清热解毒、利尿通淋的功效，主肺热咳嗽、肺痈、虚热烦渴、热淋、水肿、小便不利、湿热泻痢、热毒疮疡、皮肤瘙痒等病证。
Lv-cao, name of Chinese Medicinal Material. It is the whole plant of Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., a plant of the Moraceae family. It is harvested from September to October on sunny days, and the aboveground parts are selected, cleaned of impurities, and dried in the sun. It is distributed in most parts of China, growing on roadsides, ditch edges, wetlands, village fences, or forest edges and thickets. Lv-cao has a bitter and sweet taste, a cold nature, and enters the lung and kidney meridians. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxification, promoting diuresis and relieving stranguria. It is mainly used for lung-heat cough, lung abscess, restless due to deficient heat, heat stranguria, edema, difficult urination, damp-heat diarrhea, heat-toxin sores and ulcers, and itchy skin.

功效作用 Efficacy and Functions

清热解毒、利尿通淋。
Clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting diuresis, and treating stranguria.

主治 Indications

肺热咳嗽，肺痈，虚热烦渴，热淋，水肿，小便不利，湿热泻痢，热毒疮疡，皮肤瘙痒。
Lung heat cough, lung abscess, deficiency heat with restlessness and thirst, hot urinary dysfunction, edema, difficult urination, damp-heat diarrhea, heat-toxin sores and ulcers, and itchy skin.

用法用量 Dosage and Administration

内服：煎汤，10-15g，鲜品30-60g；或捣汁。外用：适量，捣敷；或煎水熏洗。
Internal use: Decoction, 10-15g dried or 30-60g fresh; or pounded for juice. External use: Apply an appropriate amount for poultice; or decoct and use for fumigation and washing.

注意事项 Precautions

非热病者慎用。
Not suitable for non-febrile patients.

药理作用 Pharmacological Effects

茎、叶的乙醇浸液在试管内对革兰氏阳性菌有显著抑制作用。葎草酮与蛇麻酮相似，也有抗菌作用；对革兰氏阳性及阴性细菌、某些真菌、酵母菌的生长有抑制作用。也有报告对革兰氏阴性细菌、酵母菌无效者。对革兰氏阴性细菌的作用，葎草酮为蛇麻酮的1/20，对结核杆菌的作用为蛇麻酮的1/10。葎草酮对猫有二硝基酚样作用，静脉注射3毫克/公斤后，可使氧耗量立即增加1倍，并出现呼吸急促，随之体温升高；并可因体温过度升高（45℃）而致死，死亡迅速发生严重“尸僵”。大量注射尚可产生糖尿、血尿。对兔的作用远较猫为差。
The ethanol extract of stems and leaves has a significant inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria in test tubes. The compound humulone is similar to lupulone and also has antibacterial properties, inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, certain fungi, and yeast. However, there are reports that it is ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. In terms of its effect on Gram-negative bacteria, the potency of humulone is 1/20 that of lupulone, and its effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis is 1/10 that of lupulone. Humulone has a dinitrophenol-like effect on cats. Intravenous injection of 3 mg/kg can immediately double oxygen consumption, leading to rapid breathing, elevated body temperature, and potentially fatal overheating (up to 45°C), resulting in rapid and severe rigor mortis. Large injections can also cause glycosuria and hematuria. Its effects on rabbits are much less pronounced than on cats.

临床应用 Clinical Applications

1. 治膏淋：葎草捣生汁三升，酢二合。相和，空腹顿服，当溺如白汁。
   Treatment for gonorrhea: Extract the juice from 3 liters of fresh Humulus scandens, mix with 200ml of vinegar, take on an empty stomach, and it should induce urination resembling white fluid.

2. 治砂石淋：鲜葎草茎四至五两。捣烂，酌加开水擂汁服。
   Treatment for urinary stones: Take four to five liang (120–150g) of fresh Humulus scandens stems, mash them, add boiling water, and drink the strained juice.

3. 治新久疟疾：葛葎草一握（去两头，秋冬用干者）、恒山末等分。以淡浆水二大盏，浸药，星月下露一宿，五更煎一盏，以吐痰愈。
   Treatment for persistent malaria: Take a handful of Humulus scandens (remove ends; use dried in autumn/winter) and equal parts of Dichroa febrifuga. Soak in two large bowls of light rice water overnight under the stars, then boil down to one bowl at dawn to induce expectoration and recovery.

4. 治久痢成疳：葎草干蔓捣筛，量多少，管吹谷道中。
   Treating chronic dysentery leading to malnutrition: Dry the vines of Humulus scandens, crush and sift into powder, and administer through the anus via tube.

5. 治痢疾或小便淋沥，尿血等：鲜葎草二至四两。水煎，饭前服，日两次。
   For treating dysentery, frequent urination with dripping, or blood in urine: Take 60–120g of fresh Houttuynia cordata, decoct in water, take before meals, twice daily.

6. 治癞，遍体皆疮：葎草一担，以水二石，煮取一石，以渍疮。
   For treating leprosy and widespread sores: Boil one dan (approx. 50kg) of Humulus scandens in two shi (approx. 120L) of water down to one shi, then soak affected areas.

7. 治乌癞：葎草二秤（锉，细淘），益母草一秤（锉，洗淘）。用水二石五斗，煮取一石五斗，漉去滓，盆瓮中浸浴一时辰久方出，用被衣覆之，又再浸浴一时辰久方出，勿令见风，明日复作。如入汤后，举身瘙痒不可忍，令旁人捉手，不令搔动，食顷渐定。后隔三日一浴。其药水经浴两次即弃之。
   Treatment for scabies: Use 2 catties of Humulus scandens (cut and washed), 1 catty of Leonurus japonicus (cut and washed). Boil in 25 dou (approx. 250L) of water down to 15 dou (150L), strain, and bathe in tub for one hour, cover warmly, repeat again after drying. Avoid wind exposure. Repeat next day. Itching may occur but must not be scratched. Bathe every three days. Discard the decoction after two uses.

8. 治皮肤瘙痒：葎草适量，水煎熏洗。
   Treatment for itchy skin: Use appropriate amount of Artemisia annua, decoct in water for fumigation and washing.

9. 治痈毒初起（皮色不变，硬肿不痛）：葎蓉草鲜叶一握。以冷开水洗净，和红糖捣烂，加热敷贴，日换两次。
   Treatment for early-stage carbuncle or abscess (unchanged skin color, hard swelling without pain): Take a handful of fresh Houttuynia cordata leaves, wash with cold water, crush with brown sugar, warm slightly, and apply as compress, change twice daily.

10. 治瘰疬：葎草鲜叶二两，黄酒二两，红糖四两。水煎，分三次饭后服。
    Treatment for scrofula: Take 60g fresh Artemisia argyi leaves, 60g yellow rice wine, and 120g brown sugar. Decoct in water, take in three divided doses after meals.

11. 治小儿天泡疮：割人藤煎水洗，每日一至二次。忌鱼腥发物。
    Treatment for infantile eczema: Wash affected area with boiled Houttuynia cordata water once or twice daily. Avoid fishy or stimulating foods.

12. 治蛇、蝎螫伤：葎草鲜叶一握，雄黄一钱。捣烂敷贴。
    Treatment for snake and scorpion stings: Take a handful of fresh Acanthopanax senticosus leaves and 3g realgar, grind into paste, and apply topically.

13. 治痔疮脱肛：鲜葎草三两。煎水熏洗。
    Treatment for hemorrhoids and prolapse: Take 90g fresh Houttuynia cordata, decoct in water for fumigation and washing.

加工炮制 Processing and Preparation

采收加工：9～10月收获，选晴天，收割地上部分，除去杂质，晒干。
Harvest between September and October on sunny days, cut the above-ground parts, remove impurities, and dry in the sun.

炮制方法：净制：除去木质茎、残根及杂质。切制：除去杂质、木质茎、残根、淋水稍润，切段、晒干，筛去灰屑。
Processing method: Cleaning: Remove woody stems, residual roots, and impurities. Cutting: After moistening slightly with water, cut into sections, dry in the sun, and sift out ash and debris.

药材鉴别 Identification of Medicinal Material

药材性状：叶皱缩成团。完整叶片展平后为近肾形五角状，掌状深裂，裂片5-7，边缘有粗锯齿，两面均有毛茸，下面有黄色小腺点；叶柄长5-20cm，有纵沟和倒刺。茎圆形，有倒刺和毛茸。质脆易碎，茎断面中空，不平坦，皮、木部易分离。有的可见花序或果穗。气微，味淡。
Medicinal material characteristics: Leaves are shriveled into clumps. When flattened, they are nearly kidney-shaped and pentagonal, deeply palmately lobed with 5–7 lobes, coarse serrated edges, hairy on both sides, with yellow glandular dots beneath. Petioles are 5–20cm long, with longitudinal grooves and retrorse prickles. Stems are round, covered with hairs and hooks. Brittle and easily broken; stem cross-section hollow, uneven, bark and wood easily separated. Inflorescences or fruit spikes may be present. Slight odor, bland taste.

显微鉴别：叶横切面：表皮细胞1列，上、下表皮均有非腺毛及含钟乳体晶细胞。钟乳体多存在于短而膨大的非腺毛中。位于主脉维管束的下表皮内侧有厚角组织；栅状组织1列细胞，海绵组织细胞较疏松；主脉维管束外韧型。薄壁细胞含草酸钙簇晶。
Microscopic identification: Leaf transverse section: Epidermal cells in one layer; both upper and lower epidermis have non-glandular trichomes and cystolith-containing idioblasts. Cystoliths mostly found in short, swollen non-glandular trichomes. Collenchyma tissue lies just beneath the lower epidermis of the main vascular bundle. Palisade tissue is unistratose; spongy parenchyma loosely arranged. Main vascular bundle collateral. Parenchyma cells contain calcium oxalate cluster crystals.

茎横切面：呈多角形。表皮细胞1列，可见钩刺及非腺毛，棱的内侧有厚角组织。皮层较窄。维管束外韧型，环列；髓部宽广。薄壁细胞含草酸钙簇晶。
Stem cross-section: Polygonal. Epidermis single-layered, with visible hook-shaped spines and non-glandular trichomes; collenchyma beneath ridges. Narrow cortex. Vascular bundles collateral, arranged in a ring; broad pith. Parenchyma cells contain calcium oxalate cluster crystals.

粉末特征：叶粉末黄绿色。①上表皮细胞多角形，垂周壁平直，气孔少；下表皮细胞垂周壁稍弯曲，气孔不定式，副卫细胞5-6个。②非腺毛为单细胞，长50-612μm，有的先端弯曲或呈钩状，有时可见壁疣；有的足部膨大且短，内含钟乳体，并以上表皮为多见。③螺纹导管直径11-29μm。④纤维直径21-35μm，壁厚1-5μm。⑤草酸钙簇晶直径7-32μm，棱角较短。
Powder characteristics: Yellow-green leaf powder. ① Upper epidermal cells polygonal, straight anticlinal walls, few stomata; lower epidermal cells with slightly curved walls, anomocytic stomata, 5–6 subsidiary cells. ② Non-glandular trichomes unicellular, 50–612μm long, some hooked or curved tips, sometimes with wall warts; some with swollen, short bases containing cystoliths, more common on upper epidermis. ③ Spiral vessels 11–29μm in diameter. ④ Fibers 21–35μm in diameter, wall thickness 1–5μm. ⑤ Calcium oxalate cluster crystals 7–32μm, short-edged.

植物学信息 Botanical Information

植物种属：桑科植物葎草。
The plant species is Humulus scandens, belonging to the Moraceae (mulberry) family.

形态特征 Morphological Characteristics

一年生或多年生蔓性草本。茎长达数米，淡绿色，有纵条棱，茎棱和叶柄上密生短倒向钩刺。单叶对生；叶柄长5-20cm，稍有6条棱，有倒向短钩刺；掌状叶5-7深裂，直径约5-15cm，裂片卵形或卵状披针形，先端急尖或渐尖，边缘有锯齿，上面有粗刚毛，下面有细油点，脉上有硬毛。花单性，雌雄异株；雄花序为圆锥花序，雌花序为短穗状花序；雄花小，具花被片5，黄绿色，雄蕊5，花丝丝状，短小；雌花每2朵具1苞片，苞片卵状披针形，被白色刺毛和黄色小腺点，花被片1，灰白色，紧包雌蕊，子房单一，上部突起，疏生细毛。果穗绿色，近球形；瘦果淡黄色，扁球形。花期6-10月，果期8-11月。
Annual or perennial climbing herb. Stem up to several meters long, pale green with longitudinal ridges, densely covered with retrorse hook-tipped prickles on ridges and petioles. Leaves opposite; petioles 5–20cm long, slightly ridged, with downward-pointing prickles. Blades palmately 5–7 deeply lobed, 5–15cm across, lobes ovate or lanceolate, acute or acuminate, serrated margins, rough bristles above, fine oil glands below, stiff hairs along veins. Flowers unisexual, dioecious. Male inflorescence paniculate; female inflorescence short spike. Male flowers small, with 5 yellow-green tepals and 5 filamentous stamens. Female flowers in pairs, each pair subtended by a bract; bracts ovate-lanceolate, covered with white spines and yellow glandular dots; single grayish-white tepal tightly enclosing the pistil; ovary solitary, apically protruding, sparsely hairy. Fruit spikes green, nearly spherical; achenes pale yellow, depressed-globose. Flowering June–October, fruiting August–November.

分布区域 Distribution Area

我国大部分地区有分布。
Widely distributed across most regions of China.

生长环境 Growing Environment

生于路旁、沟边湿地，村寨篱笆上或林缘灌丛。
Grows along roadsides, wet ditches, village fences, and forest-edge thickets.