Chang Pu (Acorus Calamus) in traditional Chinese medicine is used to treat carbuncles, scabies, bruises, injuries, nosebleeds, toothache and eczema.
Chang Pu (Acorus Calamus) is a grass like, aromatic, semi-aquatic perennial herb with a stem which spreading into the ground. This rhizome part of the plant is used for medicine.
Chang Pu (Acorus Calamus) has a very long history of medicinal use in China. It was mentioned in the classic scripture of traditional Chinese medicine (Shennong Bencao Jing), which was written anywhere between 200BC to 200AD. Chang pu is one of the primary herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine. It is categorized as a ‘hot’ and ‘acrid’ herb used to open the channels of the body.
Chang pu is mainly used to make a decoction for internal use to treat ailments of brain and nervous system and digestive disorders. But it can also be applied directly to the skin to treat certain skin diseases.
How to use chang pu to treat the skin ailments? The following are three recipes:
1. To treat carbuncles, scabies, toothache and nosebleeds
– Fresh roots of chang pu 50-100 grams
– Put the roots in a bowl
– Add some water and smash it
– Make it into a paste
– Apply it to the affected area
2. To treat bruises, traumatic injuries and swelling pain
– Fresh roots of chang pu 50-100 grams
– Put the roots in a bowl
– Smash it with some alcohol to make a paste
– Apply it to the affected area
3. To treat eczema and itchy wet skin
– Use equal parts of Chang Pu (Acorus Calamus) and She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Monnieri)
– Ground them into a powder
– Mix the powder with some water
– Apply the mixture to the affected area
Chang pu is safe when used externally, though more research is needed. Please consult your pharmacist, or physician or other healthcare professional before using chang pu for your treatment.
