The efficacy and function of Ligularia stenotica

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Ligularia japonica.

【Other name】 Mountain Aster

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the root of the Asteraceae plant Ligularia stenocephala.

[Original morphology] Narrow-headed Ligularia is a perennial herb, 40-170cm tall, 4-6mm in diameter, with a root head on which many fibrous roots grow. The stem is erect and covered with spider-like hairs on the upper part. Basal leaves have long petioles, up to 40cm long, and slightly clasping the stem at the base; leaf blades are cordate or reniform, 10-20cm long and wide, rounded at the apex with a prominent tip, finely serrated on the margin, with larger, swallowtail-like teeth at the base, light in color below, glabrous on both sides, with regular veins; middle leaves gradually become smaller, with short petioles that clasping the stem in the lower sheath; upper leaves gradually become lanceolate or linear. Inflorescence racemose, up to 90cm long; numerous capitulums, 2-3cm in diameter; with long stalks; bracts lanceolate, often drooping after flowering; involucral tube closed, about 10mm long; 5 involucral bracts, 2 layers, triangular at apex; 1-4 ligulate flowers, ligules oblong, about 20mm long, yellow; 5-10 tubular flowers. Achenes are cylindrical, with longitudinal grooves, about 10mm long; pappus is dirty white, about 6mm long. Flowering and fruiting period is from August to December.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown on moist rocky sides of hillsides at an altitude of 850-3100m.

[Chemical composition] The root of this product contains 10α-H-furano-ligularenone and 10β-H-furanoligularenone. And a new benzofuran derivative: 5,6-dimethoxy-2-isopropenylbenzofuran.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat; detoxifies; disperses nodules; acts as a diuretic. Mainly used for mastitis, edema, scrofula, and puffer fish poisoning

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 30-60g. For external use: Take appropriate amount and mash the whole fresh herb for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

I believe that friends who were not very clear about the narrow-headed Ligularia at the beginning should now have mastered the relevant knowledge about the narrow-headed Ligularia. I hope this article can be helpful to you.