Raw and shelled epiphyllums differ in the method of concoction and medicinal properties.
Raw epiphyllum is the fresh product of epiphyllum, while cannon epiphyllum is the product of epiphyllum after concocting.
1. Fresh epiphyllum is dug up and removed from the mud and sand, washed and dried in the sun to be used; its flavor is sweet, pungent, hot, and has great toxicity.
2. Cannonical epiphyllum is dug up and washed, placed in the sand and stir-fried over high heat, after discoloration, removed and cooled to complete the concoction; toxicity is weaker than raw epiphyllum, the medicinal properties of the hotter.
It is used for treating Yang deficiency, critical symptoms, chest tightness and heart pain, cold vomiting and diarrhea, cold pain in the stomach and abdomen, and kidney Yang deficiency.
Pseudostemma is poisonous and should not be used in pregnant women; it should not be used together with Semen xia, Psidium guajava, Smallpox Powder, Fritillariae, Ampelopsis, Bai He; it is forbidden to be used in cases of heat (fever, constipation, thirst, etc.), hyperactivity of yin deficiency and yang (low-grade fever, flushed face, heat in the heart of the hands and feet, etc.) and those who are really hot and false-cold (chills in limbs with burning heat in the chest and abdomen, halitosis, coarse breath, thirst, short and yellowish urine, and dry stools, etc.).
This product should be used properly under the guidance of a physician and should not be used blindly to avoid poisoning.