The efficacy and function of saltwort

Saltpeter chinensis is a common Chinese medicine with many different functions. It can regulate some diseases of the human body. Let us learn about its specific functions below.

[Other names] Salty gourd vine, Shen gourd, and Bu Yin Dan.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the roots and leaves of Elaeagnus lanceolate, a plant of the Elaeagnaceae family.

[Original form] Elaeagnus lanceolate evergreen shrub, about 4m tall. Young branches densely covered with silvery white and light yellowish brown scales. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 5-7mm long, yellowish brown; leaf blade is leathery, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 5-14cm long, 1.5-3.6cm wide, apex acuminate, base rounded, rarely broadly cuneate, entire margin recurved; lateral veins are 8-12 pairs, spreading at a 45-degree angle to the midrib, and reticulate veins are not obvious above. The flowers are pale yellowish white, drooping, often clustered in 3-5 on short branches in the leaf axils; the pedicels are 3-5mm long; the perianth tube is round, 5-6mm long, with 4 broad triangular lobes; there are 4 stamens, and the filaments are very short or absent; the style is erect, almost glabrous or sparsely covered with very few stellate soft hairs. The fruit is oval, 12-15mm long, densely covered with brown or silvery white scales, and reddish yellow when ripe. The flowering period is August-October, and the fruiting period is April-May of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in mountain forests or forest edges at an altitude of 600-2500m.

【Nature and flavor】 Sour; slightly sweet; warm

【Functions and indications】Promote blood circulation and dredge meridians; soothe wind and relieve cough; warm the kidney and reduce urination. Mainly used for fractures caused by falls; strain; cough caused by cold; urinary incontinence

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 9-15g; or soak in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above we introduced what salt vine is. We know that salt vine can not only be used to treat diseases but also has good health benefits, so we must be good at using salt vine to protect our health.