Omphalia (Leiwan)
Omphalia lapidescens Schroet. (Family Polyporaceae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Omphalia
Botanical Name: Omphalia lapidescens Schroet. (Family Polyporaceae)
Common Name: Omphalia
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fungus is gathered in spring, autumn and winter. It is cleaned, dried in the sun and, finally, pounded into powder. It is also made into pill form.
Properties & Taste: Bitter, cold and slightly toxic
Meridians: Stomach and large intestine
Functions: To kill parasites
Indications & Combinations:
1. Hookworm and roundworm. Omphalia (Leiwan) is used with Areca seed (Binglang) and Chinaberry bark (Kulianpi).
2. To treat cestodiasis, 60 grams of the herb powder alone can be orally taken for two consecutive days. To treat ascariasis and ancylostomiasis, the herb can be used in combination with areca seed, quisqualis fruit and other anthelmintics.
Dosage: 6-15 g, Used in pill or powder.
Precautions:The active ingredients contained in the herb are destroyed when heated or mixed with acid. Therefore, the herb should not be decocted and mixed with acid.
Toxic or Side Effects: Slightly toixic.
Modern Researches:
Omphalia contains omphalin-a protease, which is an effective ingredient for expelling teniae.
Omphalin plays its tenia-expelling role by decomposing the proteins of the parasites so much that their nodes are destroyed. It can also kill ascarids, ancylostomi, Trichomonas vaginalis and bladder worms.
