The efficacy and function of the green pod leaf stem pith

Everyone is familiar with the pith of the leaf stem of the green pod, of course some people are relatively unfamiliar with it. In fact, the pith of the leaf stem of the green pod is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material. So what is the function of the pith of the green pod leaf stem?

【English Name】 Helwingia japonica (Thunb.)Dietr,H.himalaica Hook.f .et Tho-ms.ex Clarke H.chinensis Batal.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The stems of the plants Cornaceae, Western Green Pod Leaves and Chinese Green Pod Leaves.

[Original form] Deciduous shrub, 1-2m high. The young branches are green or purple-green, with obvious leaf scars. Leaves are alternate; petioles are 1-5cm long; stipules are linearly divided; leaf blades are ovate, ovate-elliptical, rarely ovate-lanceolate, 3-13cm long, 1.5-9cm wide, acuminate at the apex, nearly rounded or broadly cuneate at the base, with fine serrations on the margins and thorn-like teeth near the base. Flowers are dioecious; male flowers form dense cymes of about 5-12; female flowers are pedunculate, solitary or clustered in 2-3 in the middle or near the base of the midrib on the upper side of the leaves; petals are 3-5, triangular-ovate; male flowers have 3-5 stamens, growing on the inner side of the disk; female flower ovary is inferior, 3-5-locular, and the style is 3-5-lobed. The drupe is nearly spherical, black when ripe, and has 3-5 edges. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is August-September. The difference between this species and the green pod leaf is that the leaves are thick and papery, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 5-18cm long, 2.5-5cm wide, and acuminate at the apex; the stipules are often 2-3 lobed, rarely unlobed. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is August-October. The difference between this species and the previous two species is: the leaves are leathery or nearly leathery, rarely papery, with petioles 3-4cm long; stipules are slender; the leaf blades are linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, 4-15cm long, 0.4-2cm wide, with sparse linear serrations on the edges.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; bland; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Promotes lactation. Less main milk; poor milk flow

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-9g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Everyone should know the medicinal value of the leaves, stems and pith of the green pod. You can be more targeted when consuming it in your daily life. More reasonable use of the medicine can better treat some common diseases.