Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon
Indigenous language names: chagis, Magau, ma'gau, ma gau, makar, magaru, Makau, maqaw
Other names used locally: Xiang zhang, xiang zhang zi
Diseases of the organs: The roots are used to treat colds.
To smut grass (4026 Sporobolus indicus var. flaccidus), add Chinese mulberry (3007 Morus australis) leaves and roots, mountain peppercorn roots, lanceleaf Blumea (3144 Blumea lanceolaria), and white water sedge (4025 Kyllinga nemoralis) and make a decoction to treat colds.
For most people, a cold can be treated with a decoction of ailanthus prickly ash (3063 Zanthoxylum ailanthoides) roots, ground ivy (3129 Glechoma hederacea var. grandis), and mountain peppercorn roots.
A decoction of ox knee (3021 Achyranthes bidentata var. bidentata) and mountain peppercorn can be made to treat colds.
For severe colds, treat with a decoction of glorybower (3127 Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum), balsam Blumea (3144 Blumea balsamifera), lanceleaf Blumea, ox knee, mountain peppercorn roots, and ailanthus prickly ash roots.
For colds or flu with fever, make a decoction of snakeroot (3144 Eupatorium formosanum), dropseed, mountain peppercorn roots, ailanthus prickly ash roots, and wild celery (3107 Oenanthe javanica).
Skin and musculoskeletal system: If a rash forms due to contact with the wax tree (Rhus succedanea), boil bishop wood (3061 Bischofia javanica) leaves, alum, camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) bark, and mountain peppercorn leaves together. Then, use a towel to apply the broth to the rash.
If a rash forms due to contact with the wax tree, boil bishop wood hearts, camphor tree bark, mountain peppercorn leaves, and a little alum together. Then, bathe in the broth to treat the rash.
Other:
The Saisiyat and Atayal peoples also use the fruit to eliminate headache and body aches associated with a hangover.
Interview and specimen numbers: Yen 22748, 37288, 43997, 44197, 45799, 46360
Zhong Hua Ben Cao
Roots (mountain peppercorn)
Pharmacological properties: Taste pungent and slightly bitter, warm in nature; ; spleen, stomach, and liver meridians.
Functions and indications: Dispels wind, dissipates cold, and removes dampness; warms the body, regulates qi, and relieves pain. Mainly used to treat colds, headaches, stomachache, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, athlete’s foot, edema in pregnant women, rheumatic pain, and bruises. Recently, it has been used to treat cerebral thrombosis/embolism.
Leaves (mountain peppercorn)
Pharmacological properties: Taste pungent and slightly bitter, warm in nature.
Functions and indications: Regulates qi, resolves stagnation, detoxifies, reduces swelling, and stops bleeding. Mainly used to treat swelling and pain of carbuncles, abscesses, and sores, mastitis, snake and insect bites, bleeding wounds, and swelling in the feet. Its essential oil can be used for chronic bronchitis.
