Lu Hui (Aloe)

This product is rarely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Originally published in the Song Dynasty "Kaibao Materia Medica". There are two types of products: old aloe vera and new aloe vera.

1. Lao Lu Hui (Old aloe vera)

Synonyms: Gan Se Lu Hui (Hepatic colored aloe vera).

Source: Aloe ferox Mill, a perennial succulent herb of the lily family. or the same genus of plants Avera L. var. chinensis (haw.) Berger's leaf juice dried.

Origin: Mainly produced in Curacao, Alauba and the small islands of Bonaire near the north coast of South America. Chinese aloe vera is produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places in China.

2. Xin Lu Hui (New aloe vera)

Synonyms: Tou Ming Lu Hui (transparent aloe vera), Hao Wang Jiao (Cape of Good Hope aloe vera).

Source: Dried from the juice of the perennial succulent herbaceous herb of the Liliaceae family, Aloe vera. Imported from abroad.

Origin: Mainly produced in the Federation of South Africa.

Harvesting and processing: It can be harvested all year round, and the leaves are cut and the liquid juice is placed in a container, and it is evaporated and solidified.

Trait identification:

1. Lao Lu Hui (Old aloe vera): often broken into irregular lumps, polygonal in shape, and varying in size. Dark red or coffee brown, defective products appear brownish-black. Hard, not easy to break. The section is flat, waxy, and dull in brightness. Does not dissolve in hot weather. It has an unpleasant odor and a very bitter taste.

2. Xin Lu Hui (New aloe vera): tan and greenish. The constitution is crispy and fragile. The section is smooth and has a glassy luster. There is acid smell to it, and  is easily dissolved into liquid in hot weather. The rest is the same as old aloe vera.

It is traditionally considered better to have a strong fragrance and no impurities and sediment after dissolving in water. Lao Lu Hui (Old aloe vera) is generally considered to be of better quality than Xin Lu Hui (new aloe vera).

Main ingredients: aloin, isoaloin, resin, aloe emodin.

Pharmacological effects: clear heat and cool the liver, can be used as laxative and insecticide. The principle is that aloe vera has strong irritation, and a small amount of oral administration can stimulate the secretion of bile, promote intestinal peristalsis and defecation. If you take a large amount, abdominal pain and pelvic congestion are likely to occur. In addition, it has a bitter taste and stomach strengthening effect. In addition, experiments have proved that the use of 50% aloe vera water infusion has different degrees of inhibitory effect on various skin fungi.

Preparation: Raw.

Taste: bitter cold.

Meridians: into the liver, stomach, and large intestine meridians.

Function: insecticide, laxative, clear heat and cool liver.

Indications: pediatric chancre, epilepsy, constipation.

Clinical application

（1）   Laxative. It is suitable for habitual constipation and heat accumulation constipation, because this product will not cause constipation like rhubarb after laxative, so it can be used for chronic constipation, such as in the Geng Yi Wan formula.

（2）   Stomach strengthening. Treatment of children's chancre accumulation, with Jian Bin, Bao Shao, Du Jiao Jin, Bian Xu, Gan Cao, Hou Po, Shan Zha, Bu Zha Ye.

（3）   Clearing liver. Treatment of liver meridian fire, evidence of right upper quadrant pain, dizziness, headache, deafness, tinnitus, restlessness, irritability, constipation, and even fever, etc., take it to clear heat and cool the liver, such as in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan Formula. In modern times, according to this principle, this product is the main drug to treat biliary stones and infection, and has a good effect. In addition, this product is used with Long Dan Cao to treat palpitations and convulsions.

Caution of use: This product has strong irritation effects, which can congest the intestinal wall and pelvis, so it is contraindicated by people with menstrual cramps, pregnancy, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids, blood in the stool and weak spleen and stomach.

Dosage: 0.3~0.6g for gentle use, 0.9~1.5g for strong effect. Only use pill powder, rarely used in decoction.

Prescription examples:

（1）   Geng Yi Wan ("Xian Xing Zhai Yi Xue Guang Bi Ji"): Lu Hui 21g, Zhu Sha 15g ground finely, drop a little wine and made into pills, 3.6g per serving. Treatment of gastrointestinal dryness and restless sleep.

（2）   Dang Gui Long Hui Wan ("Xuan Ming Lun"): Dang Gui, Long Dan Cao, Huang Bo, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Zhi Zi 30g each; Da Huang, Qing Dai, Lu Hui 15g each; Mu Ciang 6g, She Xiang 1.5g, make into pills as small beans size, each serving twenty or thirty pills, wash down with ginger tea.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.