The efficacy and function of eagle claw lotus

Hawk's Claw Lotus is a famous traditional commonly used Chinese medicinal material in my country with a long history of application. Today we will learn about Hawk's Claw Lotus.

【English name】 all-grass of Leafyinvolucre Saussurea

[Other names] Artemisia truncatum, black medicine, cockscomb ginseng; thistle grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root and whole herb of Saussurea chinensis of the Asteraceae family.

[Original form] Saussurea ovata is a perennial herb, up to 1m tall. The stem is erect and covered with white spider-like hairs and dense rusty brown glandular hairs. Leaves are alternate, pinnately divided, and sessile; the lower part is 8-15 (-30) cm long, the lobes are oblong, with irregular coarse teeth, and the leaf base has semi-amplexicaulous ears; the upper leaves gradually become smaller; all leaves are covered with rusty glandular hairs on the upper side, and densely covered with white hairs or rusty glandular hairs on the lower side. The inflorescence is relatively large, arranged in a narrow cone at the upper part of the stem, with a diameter of 15-20 (-25) mm and a short stalk; the involucre is bell-shaped, 15--17 mm long, with 5 layers of bracts, the outer layer is leaf-like, oblong, with small teeth, and covered with spider-like hairs, while the inner layer is linear, acuminate, and covered with fine hairs; the flowers are purple, oblong-cylindrical, about 4 mm long, with a small crown with fine teeth at the tip; the pappus is dirty white and feathery.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on hillsides and mountain grasslands at an altitude of about 1200m.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; bitter; slightly cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and dampness; detoxifies and eliminates carbuncle. Mainly used for lung heat, cough and asthma; damp-heat jaundice; carbuncle; poisonous snake bite

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole plant or root: sweet, bitter, slightly cold in nature. It has the functions of nourishing, clearing away heat and detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory and hemostatic. Used for hepatitis, dizziness, night sweats, postpartum weakness, edema, and externally for snake bites.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Everyone should know about the medicinal value of Hawk's Claw Lotus. We should pay more attention to information in this area so that we can be prepared when encountering problems and avoid panic.