The efficacy and function of Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus is a traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to the effects we know in daily life, Christmas cactus actually has many other effects and functions. Let’s take a look.

[Other names] Crab-footed Overlord Whip, Icing on the Cake

[Source] Medicinal material source: the above-ground part of the dicotyledonous plant Schlumbergera.

[Original form] Succulent plant, often shrub-like and multi-branched. The flower stem is woody, slightly cylindrical, with flattened young branches and branches; the nodes are short, oblong or ovate, 3-6cm long, 1.5-2.5cm wide, bright green, more or less purple when young or in winter, with truncate tip, 2-4 thick and more or less incurved serrations on each side, and thick midribs on both sides. Without leaves. The flowers are borne at the top of the young stem nodes, rose red, bilaterally symmetrical, and 6-9cm long; the calyx is in one whorl, united at the base into a short tube, with teeth at the tip; the petals are in several layers, the lower part is long tubular, the tube becomes longer as it goes inward, and the upper part is separated, folded outward or dorsal; the stamens are numerous, in two whorls, and curved upward; the style is longer than the stamens, dark red, and the stigma has 6-9 lobes; the ovary is pear-shaped or broadly oval. The berries are red and about 1 cm in diameter. Flowering period is January to March.

[Habitat distribution] Cultivated in parks in the north and south.

【Chemical composition】A small amount of neobetanin was isolated from the petals[1].

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; cold

【Functions and indications】Detoxification and swelling reduction. Mainly used for sores, swelling and infection; mumps

【Usage and Dosage】For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": It is commonly used by the people to treat sores, boils and swellings.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to Christmas cactus. Through this introduction we can understand that Christmas cactus has high medicinal value and can effectively relieve many diseases, but remember not to take it indiscriminately.