The efficacy and function of Yucao

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Youcao?

[Other names] Field wandering grass (Classification of Herbal Medicinal Properties), Rongcao (Flora of Guangzhou), Xiyoucao (Compilation of Commonly Used Folk Herbs), Niucao (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica).

[Source] The whole herb of the Poaceae plant . It can be harvested throughout the year, but most harvesting occurs in April and May.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The lower part of the culm is prostrate on the ground or tilted, with roots at the nodes. The upright part is about 40 cm high, and the nodes often have inverted fine hairs. The leaf sheath is smooth or rough, the upper one is usually shorter than the internode; the ligule is membranous, 1-2 mm long, and the base is extended on both sides and fused with the edge of the leaf sheath; the leaf blade is flat or folded, lanceolate, rough, 5-20 cm long and about 4-6 mm wide. The panicle is ovate or oblong, 5-10 cm long, with thin branches and angular edges, up to 4 cm long; the spikelet is 3-4 mm long, about 1.5 mm wide, with a short petiole; the spikelet contains 1 flower, without awn; the glumes are degenerate; the lemma has 5 veins, with prickles on the back and edges; the palea has 3 veins, with hard cilia on the ridges; there are 6 stamens, and the anther is about 2.5 mm long. Caryopsis, about 2.5 mm long. Flowering and fruiting period is summer and autumn.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in moist places near water. Distributed in Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Taiwan, Fujian and other places.

[Properties and flavors] "Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica": "neutral in nature, astringent in taste, non-toxic."

【Functions and indications】 Relieve exterior symptoms and dispel cold, dredge meridians and promote urination. Treat colds, headaches, body aches, malaria, arthralgia, numbness, and leucorrhea.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 5 to 8 qian.

[Additional prescriptions] ① For the treatment of long-term malaria: Youcao, Hanjingcao, and Yeyanbutts. Decoction. (Chongqing Herbs)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Sichuan Chinese Medicine Records"

It can be seen that the medicinal value of Youcao is still very obvious. However, not everyone can use Youcao. We can judge based on our own physical condition.