Lu Zhong'an (1882~1949), once practiced medicine in Beijing, was known as "Lu Huangqi" because he was good at using Milkvetch Root to treat difficult and dangerous diseases.
In the autumn of 1920, Hu Shi, a pioneer of the Chinese New Culture Movement, suddenly developed symptoms of polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria, and his body became increasingly thin. The Peking Union Medical College Hospital diagnosed him with advanced diabetes and believed that there was no cure. His friend Ma Mou proposed to ask Chinese medicine for treatment. Hu Shi said: "The study of Chinese medicine is not based on scientific and systematic research, so it is not enough." Hu Shi reluctantly followed. Ma then invited Lu Zhongan for diagnosis and treatment. Lu Zhongan took the pulse and said, "It's easy! Drink Huangqi soup, if it doesn't heal, I'm the only one who asks." Hu Shi took Chinese medicine for several months, and he really recovered. At this time, Hu Shi still had doubts about the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, so he went to Xiehe Hospital. After the examination by the Western medicine doctor in the hospital, he was surprised: "The fruit is healed! Who is the king? What medicine is used?" Hu Shi then told the truth about taking traditional Chinese medicine. told them.
Yu Hongbin, a famous doctor of Western medicine, asked someone to copy all the prescriptions at Hu Shi's residence, and wrote an article about the prescriptions, which was published in "Journal of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine" edited by Ding Fubao. The prescription is: four liang of raw Milkvetch Root membranaceus, three qian of Poria cocos, three qian of Alisma chinensis, three qian of papaya, three qian of Chinese angelica, three qian of wine skullcap, three qian of Fapinxia, four qian of Hang Baishao, six qian of fried Yushu, Cornus six qian, ginseng three seven three qian, two slices of ginger. This prescription was first diagnosed on November 18, the ninth year of the Republic of China.
After Hu Shi recovered from his illness, he wrote an article on a painting given to him by Lin Qinnan. Mr. Lu went to see him. Mr. Lu once used Milkvetch Root 12 taels and dangshen 6 qian. Many people shook their heads and stuck out their tongues, but my illness is completely cured now. Now someone wants to test Milkvetch Root membranaceus to see what its ingredients are. What? Why is there such a great effect? If the results of the test can enable medical scholars around the world to gradually understand the true value of Chinese medicine and medicine, wouldn’t this be Mr. Lu’s great contribution.”
Pharmacological experiments show that Milkvetch Root has obvious diuretic effect, and can reduce proteinuria and nephropathy in animals with experimental nephritis. Large doses of Milkvetch Root can delay the occurrence of proteinuria and hypercholesterolemia. Compatibility with Codonopsis is effective in treating chronic nephritis, proteinuria and diabetes. These experimental results are so similar to the "Chinese Materia Medica" textbook that Milkvetch Root "invigorates qi and solidifies the surface, diuretics and swelling, and detoxifies and promotes muscle growth".