Sichuan pepper warms the middle jiao to relieve pain; eliminates dampness to stop diarrhea; and kills parasites to relieve itching. It is mainly indicated for epigastric and abdominal cold pain due to deficiency and cold of the spleen and stomach; ascariasis abdominal pain; vomiting and diarrhea; cough and asthma due to lung cold; dental caries and toothache; vulvar itching and leukorrhea; eczema and skin itching. So, what are the specific effects of Sichuan pepper?
1. For abdominal pain: Decoct 3g of Sichuan pepper, 6g of dried ginger, and 12g of Cyperus rotundus in water, and take the decoction twice daily.
2. For dysentery: Decoct 9-12g of Sichuan pepper and 15-20g of brown sugar in water, and take the decoction once in the morning and once in the evening.
3. For toothache: Decoct 6g of Sichuan pepper and 100ml of aged vinegar in water. Remove the Sichuan pepper, and use the liquid as a mouthwash to gargle.
4. For stubborn tinea: Grind 25g of de-seeded Sichuan pepper and 100g of purple garlic into a paste. Rub the affected area 1-2 times daily for good results.
5. For cavities: Soak 9g of Sichuan pepper in 30ml of baijiu (Chinese white liquor) for 10 days. Filter out the dregs, dip a cotton ball in the medicinal liquor, and place it in the cavity to relieve pain.
6. For vulvar itching in women: Decoct 50g each of Sichuan pepper and Cnidium monnieri, 25g of Veratrum nigrum, a handful of aged tea leaves, and 100g of roasted salt in water. Use the lukewarm liquid to fumigate and wash the affected area.
7. For primary dysmenorrhea due to cold: Decoct 9-12g of Sichuan pepper, 18-24g of fresh ginger, and 10-20 red dates in 300ml of water. Take one dose daily, divided into two warm servings in the morning and evening.
8. For soreness and weakness of the waist and legs in the elderly after illness: Stir-fry 50g of Sichuan pepper and 20g of fennel seeds in a wok, then grind them into a powder. Take 3g of the powder with warm water twice daily.
9. For ascariasis-induced intestinal obstruction: Heat 100-200g of sesame oil in a wok. Add 15-20g of Sichuan pepper and fry until slightly scorched, then remove and discard. When the pepper-infused oil is lukewarm, consume it all at once.
10. For biliary ascariasis: Gently stir-fry 30g of Sichuan pepper and 9g of mume fruit over low heat 2-3 times daily. Alternatively, grind 9-12g of Sichuan pepper into a fine powder, mix with 1-2 eggs, stir-fry with vegetable oil until cooked, and take 2-3 times daily.
11. For corns: Take 3-5 grains of Sichuan pepper, one garlic clove, and a 10cm section of green onion. Pound them into a paste, apply to toilet paper, place on the affected area, and fix with adhesive tape. Remove after 24 hours. It usually takes 1-2 applications for a cure.
12. For neurodermatitis: Take an appropriate amount of fresh Sichuan pepper leaves, boil them in cold water, and use the liquid to wash and compress the affected area for about 30 minutes each time. If the water cools, reheat it and continue. Apply 2-3 times daily until cured, and then continue for another 1-2 days to prevent recurrence. The entire process takes about 4-5 days.
13. For tinea pedis: Boil 20g of Sichuan pepper and 50g of salt in 2500ml of water, then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Pour the liquid into a foot basin to steam the feet. When the water temperature drops slightly, reheat it once or twice, then soak and wash for about 25 minutes. Finally, rinse the feet with warm water. Soak the feet once before bed each night. This is a 3-day course, with the Sichuan pepper and salt changed for each course. It can relieve itching and reduce inflammation.