Acetum (Vinegar) (Cu)

Properties (characteristics):
Sour, sweet, warm.

Channels (meridians) entered:
Liver, stomach.

Medical functions:
1. insecticidal effect in vitro tests: after exposure with 0.125%~0.25% acetic acid, within 2-3 minutes, the skin of protoscolex started to blister, producing pricks, skin separating, dissolution and the body became dark, reducing calcium and other morphological changes. In 5-10 minutes 100% were killed. Using protoscolex that had been treated with acetic acid for 10 minutes to intraperitoneal inoculate to mice and did not develop into hydatid disease.

2. antibacterial, antiviral effect: acetic acid have a good bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on Streptococcus, Branhamella (Neisseria) catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus, influenza virus and other pathogens.

Actions & Indications:
Getting rid of blood stasis and improving digestion. rid of roundworms; detoxification. For treatment of postpartum dizziness; lumps in abdomen; vomiting; epistaxis; blood in stool; parasitic abdominal pain; food poisoning; Carbuncle and swollen sores

Dosage:
Oral: 10 - 30 ml. in decoction, or soaking or mix with other food items.
External use: appropriate amount. Rinsing in the mouth, or mix with other herb and apply, or use in steaming or washing.

Samples of formulae:
For treatment of tumor: bi jie, he zi peel, Rhizoma Zingiberis (Ganjiang). Equal amount of each. Grind into powder. Mix with starch glue made with vinegar. Make into pills, sizes like soy beans. Take orally 30 pills each time with drinking water during empty stomach.