The efficacy and function of shrimp grass

Shrimp grass can not only supplement the body's nutritional elements, but also help regulate various functions of the body. It also has high medicinal value. Today, I will take you to learn about Shrimp Grass.

[Alias] Red shrimp grass (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica).

[Source] It is the whole herb of the Rubiaceae plant , Urticaceae . Harvested in summer and autumn, used fresh or sun-dried.

[Original morphology] Annual slender and spreading herb, about 15 to 40 cm high. The stem is bare and shiny when dry. Simple leaves are opposite, with very short petioles; leaf blades are linear or linear-lanceolate, 2.5-5 cm long, 3-5 mm wide, short-pointed at the apex, entire, rolled back, obtuse at the base, slightly leathery, dark green above, light green beneath, black-purple when dry; stipules are fused, membranous, 3-8 mm long, with short flat pointed hairs on the back and longer bristles on the edges. 1 to 3 flowers are clustered in leaf axils, without pedicels; calyx is about 3 mm long, 4-lobed, and the lobes have eyelashes; corolla is white, about 3 mm long, 4-lobed, and the lobes are lanceolate; there are 4 stamens, attached to the corolla tube; ovary has 2 chambers, style is linear, and stigma is slightly swollen. The capsule is oval, 2.5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, and split at the top; there are many seeds. Flowering period is summer. Fruiting season: autumn.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in sunny places of fields. Distributed throughout the south of the Yangtze River.

[Properties and flavors] "Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica": "cold in nature, slightly bitter in taste, non-toxic."

【Functions and indications】 "Sichuan Chinese Medicine Annals": "It is used to treat trauma, hernia, toothache caused by wind and fire, and tuberculosis of blood in women."

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5-1 liang; or stew with meat.

[Additional prescription] ① For treating injuries from falls: 4 liang each of red shrimp grass, sharp knife Achyranthes bidentata, and red nightshade grass (mashed), and 4 liang of saussurea (burned to ashes). Mix with stewed wine and drink.

[Remarks] This product is used as Hedyotis diffusa in Fujian and Guangxi. See the entry for "Hydroxyhedactyla diffusa".

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above is an introduction to the effects of Shrimp Grass. When using it, you can do it according to the needs mentioned above, and Shrimp Grass is also very helpful in treating certain diseases.