The efficacy and function of Qiongzhi

Traditional Chinese medicine often has unexpected effects in the treatment of certain diseases, so you can choose it with confidence. However, when choosing traditional Chinese medicine, you need to understand the medicine so that when treating the disease, you will know what kind of medicine is the best choice. Let us introduce the traditional Chinese medicine Qiongzhi below.

[Other names] Stone flower, agar, stone flower, seaweed, coral grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the algae of the plant Qiongzhi of the family Cyperaceae.

[Original morphology] The algae is purple-red or yellow-green. In summer, the back of the algae is yellow and the ventral side is red. It is cartilaginous and creeping and overlapping. The body length is 10-20cm, with irregular forked or pinnate branches. The upper part of the branches is oblique, flat, 3-5mm wide, and 1-2mm thick. Sometimes the lower part of the branch often has conical tooth-like protrusions, while the upper part is often smooth, with dense pinnate branches on both sides, and the branch tips and the ventral side of the algae often have disc-shaped holdfasts, which are more on the ventral side. There are dense algal filaments in the center of the pith. Tetrasporangium divided in bands. The capsule is round with a long stalk, solitary or in clusters of 2-3.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on broken and dead corals near the tide line or at a depth of 0.5-7m. A few also grow in the crevices of coral reefs in the low tide zone.

[Properties] Identification by properties: The algae is purple-red or yellow-green in color, with branches attached to each other to form clumps. The back of the thallus is yellow, the ventral side is red, and the branches are irregularly forked. The branches are flat, 3-5mm wide and about 2mm thick. One side of the algae body often has a conical protrusion, and both sides are densely covered with pinnate branches, and the branch ends often have disc-shaped holdfasts. It has a fishy smell and a salty taste.

[Chemical composition] Contains carrageenan, which is composed of β-, κ-, ε-, γ-, μ-, and υ-carrageenan. The main component is partially desulfated κ-carrageenan, and the secondary component is partially desulfated μ-carrageenan. The polysaccharide chains of the secondary components may also be mixed with methylgalactosyl and pyruvic acid acetal groups.

【Pharmacological Action】 It has the effect of lowering serum cholesterol in the hyperlipidemia model of rats.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; salty; cold; non-toxic

【Meridian】 Lung; Liver; Large Intestine

【Functions and indications】 Clears the lungs and resolves phlegm; softens and disperses lumps; detoxifies. It is mainly used for cough due to phlegm heat; goiter and phlegm nodules; hemorrhoids, swelling and pain or bleeding; enteritis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-30g.

[Note] People with coldness in the middle and lower parts of the body and pregnant women should take it with caution.

[Additional prescription] "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "Agar...is shaped like coral and comes in two colors, red and white", and "the white one is called Qiongzhi". The name "Qiongzhi" is used to describe its branches as being like coral or jade.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The utilization rate of Qiongzhi in traditional Chinese medicine is still very high, and it can be used to treat a variety of diseases. We should eat it after fully understanding its effects and functions. I hope everyone doesn’t eat carelessly.