The efficacy and function of small flat grass

Speaking of small flat grass, many people know that it is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. So do you know the effects and functions of small flat grass? How should it be eaten? Let’s find out now.

[Other names] Grass orchid, bamboo orchid, orchid flower, small orchid

[Source] Medicinal material source: The rhizome or root of Iris nepalensis, a plant of the Iridaceae family.

[Original form] Nepalese iris is a perennial herb, 40-60cm tall. There are a lot of old leaf sheath fibers at the base. The rhizome is short and thick; the roots are clustered, fleshy, swollen into a spindle shape, and can be up to 10 cm long. Leaves are basal and arranged in 2 rows; leaves are linear, 10-28cm long and 2-8mm wide during flowering, up to 60cm long and 6-8mm wide during fruiting, gradually pointed at the apex, with 2-3 longitudinal veins, entire margin, and base clasping the stem. The pedicel is 10-25cm high and 2-3mm in diameter. It reaches up to 35cm in fruiting period. There are 1-2 lanceolate stem leaves in the middle and lower parts, and 3-4 branches in the upper part. There are 3 bracts, each containing 2 flowers. The pedicel is 1.3-2.1cm long. The flowers are blue-purple or light blue, 2.5-6cm in diameter. There are 6 perianth lobes arranged in 2 whorls. The perianth tube is 2.5-3.5cm long and expands upward into a trumpet shape. The midrib of the outer whorl has orange-yellow hair-like appendages, and the inner perianth lobes are narrowly elliptical or inverted in appearance. There are 3 stamens, about 2.5cm long, and the anthers are pale yellowish white. The ovary is inferior, triangular-ovate, 1.2-1.5cm long and 5-7mm in diameter. The style branches are flat, arched and curved, with 2 lobes at the apex and sparsely toothed on the edges. The capsule is oval, 2.5-3.5cm long, 1-1.2cm in diameter, with a short beak at the tip; the seeds are disc-shaped, flat, and dark brown. The flowering period is June, and the fruiting period is July-August.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on barren slopes or rock crevices at an altitude of 1500-3000m.

【Chemical composition】 The root contains irisolone and irisolidone.

【Nature and flavor】 sweet; neutral; toxic

【Functions and indications】Nourishes the lungs and kidneys; promotes blood circulation and detoxifies. It is used for cough due to lung deficiency, low back pain due to kidney deficiency, sciatica, swelling due to injury, and furuncle.

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

【Note】 Pregnant women should not take this medicine.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the detailed introduction of the Chinese medicine Herba Cynoglossi in the above article, we know that Herba Cynoglossi has many functions and effects and is extremely beneficial to the body. So if you have related symptoms, you might as well give it a try.