Tongzhao is the stem pith of Tongtuomu, a plant in the family of Wujiaceae. The herb is cylindrical in shape, with a white or yellowish surface, light and fluffy in texture, with obvious leaf scars or large lenticels.
Tongzhu is slightly cold in nature, sweet and light in flavor, and enters the lung and stomach meridians. It has the basic effects of clearing away heat, diuretic, promoting circulation of Qi and lowering breast milk. It is suitable for gonorrhea (increased frequency of urination and astringent pain in gonorrhea), edema, and lactation.
For the treatment of heat drenching (burning and stinging pain during urination, accompanied by frequent urination and urgency, and discomfort of traction in the abdomen) with drenching and astringent pain in urination, it is often combined with talcum and shi wei.
If the treatment of water-dampness stagnation of edema, often with poria, musk, dilong. If the treatment of postpartum breast milk is low, breast milk is not accessible, often with astragalus, Lu Lu Tong, angelica and other medicines.
The adverse reactions and contraindications of Tongcao are not clear, and pregnant women should use it with caution. The drug must be used under the guidance of a doctor.