The efficacy and function of Smilax china

Smilax china is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines in our country. It has a very long history of medicinal use and is recorded in many ancient medical books. Smilax china has good edible and medicinal value. Let’s take a look.

[Source] It is the tuber and root of Smilax china, a plant of the Liliaceae family. Harvested in spring and autumn. , remove the fibrous root base, wash and cut into thin slices.

[Original form] Deciduous, shrub or climbing vine, 40 to 80 cm high. The stem is nearly cylindrical, much branched, and hard: the twigs are angular and thornless. Simple leaves are alternate, ovate, with sheath-like petioles and no tendrils. 3-6 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, with sharp or acuminate apex, rounded, truncated or nearly cordate base, green above, pale and smooth below, with 3-5 basal veins, both of which are convex. The inflorescence peduncle is thin, 1 to 2 cm long, with 2 to 7 flowers forming an umbel; the pedicel is thin, about 8 mm long; the flowers are unisexual and monoecious; the male flower has 6 oblong perianths and 6 stamens; the female flower is smaller, with 6 perianth segments and 6 reduced stamens; the ovary is oval, and the style is 3-lobed and recurved. The berry is spherical, yellow-black with white powder, and contains 1 to 3 seeds. Flowering period is from May to June. Fruiting period is July to August.

[Habitat distribution] It mostly grows on the edge of forests or in thickets. Distributed in Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Gansu and other places.

【Properties and flavors】 ① "Gansu Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook": "spicy, salty, warm."

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation and relieve qi, and relieve pain. Treat rheumatic pain, bruises, traumatic bleeding, and fish bones stuck in the throat.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 3 grams; or grind into powder. For external use: grind into powder and sprinkle.

【Note】 Use with caution in weak patients.

[Additional prescription] ① To treat persistent joint pain: ㈠ 2 liang of Smilax glabra. Soak in wine for three to seven days, dry and grind into fine powder, take one qian each time, twice a day. ㈡ 50g of Saposhnikovia divaricata, 50g of Smilax glabra and 30g of Carthamus tinctorius. Decoction in water.

[Remarks] The tuber and root of this plant are also used as medicine in Gansu Province as "Weimingxian".

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above content is an introduction to the traditional Chinese medicine Smilax china. We should learn more about Smilax china in our daily life so that we can use it more reasonably and better play the value of Smilax china.