The efficacy and function of cycad flowers

Cycad flower is a very common type of traditional Chinese medicine and is also a frequently used medicine. It has unique effects and functions in treating many diseases. Here we will tell you in detail about the effects of some traditional Chinese medicine cycad flowers.

[Other names] Pteris flower, Cycas revoluta, Solomon's flower

[Source] Medicinal material source: the flower (megaspore leaf) of Cycadaceae plant Cycad.

[Original form] Evergreen woody plant, unbranched, 1-4m tall, rarely reaching more than 8m. Densely covered with persistent leaf bases and leaf scars, pinnate leaves grow from the top of the stem, 0.5-2m long, with thorns on both sides of the base, 2-3mm long, more than 100 pairs of pinnae, linear, thick leathery, 9-18cm long, 4-6mm wide, sharp at the apex, edges significantly curled downward, narrow base, asymmetrical on both sides, dark green and shiny above, slightly concave in the center, light green below, and midrib significantly raised. Dioecious, male cones are cylindrical, 30-70cm long and 8-15cm in diameter; microsporophyll are oblong-cuneate, 3-7cm long, with acute heads, and densely brown or grayish-yellow long hairs on the midrib and tip below; megasporophyll are flat, 14-22cm long, densely covered with light yellow or light grayish-yellow hairs, the upper apex is broadly ovate, with pinnately divided edges, and several nearly spherical ovules on both sides below. The seeds are oval, slightly flattened, concave on the top, 2-4cm long, 1.5-3cm in diameter, scarlet when ripe, flowering period is June-July, and the seeds mature in October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: South China and Southwest China, mostly cultivated in gardens. It is mostly planted in pots in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other parts of North China and placed in greenhouses over the winter.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The megasporophyll is slightly spoon-shaped, flat and wide at the top, cylindrical at the bottom, 10-20cm long and 5-8cm wide. The whole body is densely covered with brown-yellow hairs, the flat and wide part is deeply pinnately divided into thin strips on both sides, and there are 1-5 nearly spherical ovules on each side of the lower cylindrical part. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Regulating Qi and removing dampness; promoting blood circulation and stopping bleeding; strengthening the kidney and consolidating essence. Mainly used for stomachache, chronic hepatitis, rheumatic pain, traumatic injury, coughing up blood, vomiting blood, dysmenorrhea, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-60g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Nowadays, people's life pressure is constantly increasing, which makes our bodies often in a state of fatigue. Cycad flower, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has a certain regulating effect on the body. I hope it will be helpful to everyone.