The efficacy and function of water gentian root

There are many common Chinese medicinal materials in life, and water gentian root is one of them. However, many people are not very clear about water gentian root. Therefore, before choosing to eat it, you need to understand the effects and functions of water gentian root.

【Alias】 Food pimple

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the root of the Lamiaceae plant Camellia sinensis.

[Original form] Perennial semi-woody herb, 15-40cm tall. The rhizome is enlarged, often in the shape of irregular nodules, with a diameter of up to 3 cm. The stems ascend obliquely, mostly arising from rhizomes, quadrangular, and covered with inverted soft hairs. Leaves are opposite; petiole is 0.2-1cm long; leaf blade is whip-shaped ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-6.5cm long, 1-2.5cm wide, obtuse at apex, base broadly cuneate and decurrent, margins are coarsely serrated with crenate outside the entire margin attached to the base, covered with articulated soft hairs and glandular dots above, and covered with fine soft hairs and glandular dots below. The dichotomous cyme has 3-5 flowers, forming a terminal raceme, with pedicels and axis densely pubescent; bracteoles are linear, about 2mm long; calyx is bell-shaped, 2-3mm long, often purple, sparsely pubescent and glandular dots on the outside, glabrous inside, with 5 calyx teeth, ovate-lanceolate, with a small tip at the apex, 3 teeth on the upper lip, and 2 larger teeth on the lower lip; corolla is blue, purple, light red or white, densely pubescent and glandular dots on the outside, glabrous inside, with the upper lip reflexed, 4 round lobes at the apex, and the lower lip concave and boat-shaped; 4 stamens, didyna, enclosed; ovary 4-lobed, stigma 2-lobed; disk is cup-shaped, finger-like and swollen in front. The nutlets are oval and brown in color. The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from July to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in pine forests, pine-oak forests, bamboo forests or on forest edge grasslands at an altitude of 1150-3400m.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Eliminates dampness and strengthens the spleen; regulates qi and stops vomiting; detoxifies and reduces swelling. Vomiting and diarrhea due to food stagnation; abdominal distension; dysentery; big head plague; rabies bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 6-15g; or grind into powder.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal material water gentian root. For medicinal herbs that we don't understand, we should learn more about them so that we can make full use of them in our lives and not be at a loss.