The efficacy and function of the small bubble tree

The Chinese phoenix tree is a medicinal material and is quite common in life. We can eat the Chinese phoenix tree appropriately. Since many people don’t know much about the Chinese phoenix tree, let’s take a look at it below.

[Other names] Star-haired Schefflera, Seven-spice Bark, Duck Numbness, Small Star Schefflera

[Source] Medicinal material source: the stem, root or root bark of Schefflera acuminata of the Araliaceae family.

[Original form] Shrub or small tree, 2-6m high. The branchlets of the current year are thick and densely covered with yellow-brown stellate hairs, which fall off later; the pith is white and flaky. Palmate compound leaves, 7-15 leaflets; petiole cylindrical, glabrous, 12-45cm long, up to 65cm long, petiolules extremely unequal in length, central one 3-7cm long, lateral ones 1-1.5cm long, glabrous; leaf blade papery to thinly leathery, ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, rarely oblong-elliptic, 10-16cm long, 4-6cm wide; apex acute to acuminate, base obtuse to rounded, slightly skewed; margin entire, slightly recurved, sometimes with fine teeth near apex, glabrous above, densely covered with gray fine stellate hairs beneath; lateral veins 6-10 pairs, flat above, slightly raised below, reticulate veins inconspicuous to slightly obvious above, inconspicuous below. The inflorescence is an umbel composed of terminal panicles, 20-40cm long, densely covered with yellow-brown stellate hairs, and the lateral branches are arranged in racemes; the peduncle is 2.5-3cm long; the style is 5-6mm long, and both are covered with yellow-gray stellate hairs like the peduncle; the calyx is obconical, 1.5-2mm long, densely covered with stellate hairs, and has 5 teeth; the petals are 5, triangular to triangular-ovate, 2-3mm long, glabrous, and the flowers are green-white; there are 5 stamens, and the filaments are 3-4mm long; the ovary is inferior, 5-chambered, the styles are fused into a column, 1mm long, and the disk is flat. The fruit is spherical, with 5 edges and a diameter of about 4mm; the persistent style is 2mm long and the stigma is capitate. The flowering period is September and the fruiting period is October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in dense or sparse forests in mountains at an altitude of 1800-2700m.

【Properties】Properties identification: branches and leaves are mostly cut into segments. Young branches densely covered with yellow-brown stellate hairs, old branches smooth and hairless. The stems are hard and brittle, and the leaves are papery to thinly leathery.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; bitter; warm

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and cold; promote blood circulation and relieve pain. It is used for colds, rheumatic pain, abdominal distension and pain, swelling and pain from falls, fractures, and pain from overwork.

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

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

This is all I have to say about the effects of the herb. I hope it will be helpful to you. Although the value of the small bubble tree is very high, we must be cautious when eating it.