The efficacy and function of Stachys

Traditional Chinese medicine culture is profound and extensive, and Chinese medicinal materials account for a large proportion of it. Do you know about Stachys japonicus? What are its effects and functions, and how to eat it? I believe many people are very interested in it. Let me tell you one by one below.

[Other names] Perilla frutescens (Ben Jing), Chicken Sophora japonica (Wu Pu's Materia Medica), Fragrant Sophora japonica, Camphor mint (Buque Elbow Recipes), Perilla frutescens, Laurel frutescens (Bie Lu), Wild Perilla frutescens, Mountain Cimicifuga, Black Thunder God, Pengtoucao, Chenshacao (Hunan Materia Medica), Water Chicken Sophora japonica (Jiangxi Herbal Handbook).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Stachys japonica, a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Harvest in July and August and sun-dried.

[Original form] Perennial herb, about 30 cm high. The stem is erect, square, usually unbranched, and has four rough edges. Leaves are opposite; with short petioles; leaf blades are oblong-lanceolate, obtuse at apex, heart-shaped at base, or nearly round, serrated at margins, wrinkled on top, and with prickles on veins. Flowers are arranged in several layers, most of which are gathered into cymes, densely packed into a head at the top; calyx is bell-shaped, 5-lobed, with sharp thorns at the tips of the lobes; corolla is light purple-red, simple lip-shaped, the upper lip is round, entire, the lower lip is flattened downward, 3-lobed, with red spots; 4 stamens, 2 strong; style is attached to the bottom of the ovary, 2-lobed at the top. The nutlets are obovate, black and smooth. Flowering period is summer.

[Habitat distribution] It grows in moist places such as beside fields and ditches. It is found wild in all parts of southern my country.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy, slightly warm.

【Meridian】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Enters the intestines and stomach."

【Functions and indications】 Soothe wind and regulate qi, stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. Treat colds, sha disease, pulmonary emphysema, lung abscess, dizziness, bad breath, sore throat, dysentery, postpartum stroke, hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, hematuria, and bruises.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3-5 qian (0.5-1 liang for fresh product); mash into juice or make into pills or powder. For external use: decoct in water for washing, grind into powder and sprinkle or mash for application.

【Note】 "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "If the true qi is lost, the weak should be careful."

[Additional prescription] ① To treat colds: 4 qian of water stachys, 2 qian each of wild mint and ginger, decocted in water and taken orally. (Jiangxi "Handbook of Herbs")

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From 1. Ben Jing.

The above content is an introduction to the traditional Chinese medicine Stachys. We should learn more about Stachys in our daily lives so that we can use it more reasonably and better realize its value.