The efficacy and function of palm leaves

Livistona leaves are something that many people are very familiar with. The benefits that Livistona leaves bring to us are not available in other foods. So what are the effects of palm leaves? Let’s find out together.

[Alias] Cattail leaf fan, defeated fan, old cattail leaf fan, defeated cattail leaf fan

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leaves of the palm tree, a plant of the palm family.

[Original form] Livistona, a tree, up to 20m tall. The leaves are broadly kidney-shaped and fan-shaped, with a diameter of more than 1 meter, deeply palmately divided to the middle, the lobes are linear-lanceolate, 4-4.5 cm wide at the base, long and acuminate at the tip, and 2 deeply divided, with the divided part drooping and up to 50 cm long; the petiole is up to 2 meters long, with reverse thorns on both sides of the lower part. The inflorescence is conical, stout, about 1 meter long, with 6-7 spathes on the peduncle, about 6 branched inflorescences, up to 35 cm long, with 1 spathe at the base of each branched inflorescence, the branched inflorescence has 2 or 3 branches, and the florets are 10-20 cm long. The flowers are small, bisexual, yellow-green, and about 2 mm long; there are 3 sepals, arranged in an imbricate manner; the corolla is about 2 times longer than the calyx, with 3 lobes almost reaching the base; there are 6 stamens, and the filaments are fused into a ring and attached to the base of the corolla; the ovary consists of 3 nearly separated carpels, with 3 chambers. The drupe is oval, shaped like an olive, 1.8-2.2cm long, 1-1.2cm in diameter, and dark brown. The seeds are oval, 1.5 cm long and 0.9 cm in diameter. Flowering period is April.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Planted in gardens or next to houses. This species is mostly cultivated in Xinhui County, Guangdong.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The complete dry leaves are large, fan-shaped, with a diameter of more than 1m, deeply palmately fissured, reaching the middle, with needle-shaped lobes, about 2cm wide, gradually pointed at the top, deeply lobed, with the split part up to 50cm long and curved downward; with long petioles, up to more than 1m, flat-convex, and with 2 rows of barbed spines on the lower edge. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; astringent; neutral

【Functions and indications】Astringent and hemostatic; antiperspirant. It is used for coughing up blood, vomiting blood, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, bleeding due to trauma, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 6-9g; or calcine and grind into powder, 3-6g. For external use: appropriate amount, grind into powder and sprinkle.

[Discussions by various scholars] On the effect of cattail leaf ash in stopping bleeding and promoting urination, just like cattail pollen: Zhang Shiwan: "Cattail ash can stop bleeding and promote urination, just like cattail pollen. Sweat is the liquid of blood. Put the ashes of an old fan that has been stained with sweat on it, and it can cure sleep sweating. It is a wonderful way of like qi attracting each other." ("Zhang's Medical Encyclopedia")

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed introduction to the Chinese medicinal palm leaf. We can eat it according to our own needs. I believe there will be improvement after a period of time. It is indeed a good choice.