The efficacy and function of Ranunculus edulis

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 Ranunculaceae?

【English name】Laef of Southwestern buttercup

【Other name】 Southwestern Ranunculus leaf

[Source] Medicinal material source: The above-ground part of Ranunculaceae.

[Original form] Southwestern Ranunculus, annual herb, 10-30cm tall. The roots are slender and grow in clusters. The stem is obliquely ascending, nearly erect, with many nodes, roots on the lower nodes, and is pubescent or glabrous. The basal leaves are the same as the leaves on the stem; the petiole is 1-4cm long, glabrous or pubescent, and sheath-shaped at the base; the leaf blade is undivided, broadly ovate or nearly rhombus, 0.5-3cm long, 5-25mm wide, with a pointed apex, a cuneate or truncate base, 3-9 shallowly toothed margins or nearly entire, glabrous or pubescent; the leaves on the upper part of the stem are smaller, lanceolate, with short petioles or sessile. The flower diameter is 8-10mm, the pedicels are opposite to the leaves, 2-5cm long, thin and curved downward, with soft hairs; the sepals are 5, ovate, 2-3mm long, often glabrous; the petals are 5, oblong, 4-5mm long, twice the width, with 5-7 veins, rounded or slightly concave at the ends, with narrow claws at the base, 0.5-0.8mm long, and the nectar groove is dotted at the upper end of the claws; the stamens are numerous, and the anthers are about 0.6mm long; the receptacle is finely pubescent; and the carpels are numerous. Achenes are ovoid, about 1.5mm long and 1.2mm wide, flat on both sides, with small wart-like protrusions, and a beak about 0.5mm long. Flowering and fruiting period is April to July.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in forest edge wetlands or beside ditches at an altitude of 1000-3200m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: the whole plant is 10-30cm long, and sometimes roots grow on the lower nodes. Basal and stem leaves are broadly ovate or nearly rhombus-shaped, 0.5-3cm long, with shallow teeth on the margin or nearly entire, glabrous or adnately pubescent, yellow-green; petiole is 1-4cm long, sheath-shaped at the base. Pedicels are opposite to leaves; flowers are 8-10mm in diameter, sepals are oval; petals are 5, oblong. The aggregate fruit is nearly spherical, with a diameter of 3-4mm; the achene is ovoid, about 1.5mm long, flat on both sides, and has small wart-like protrusions. It has a faint smell and tastes bitter and spicy.

[Pharmacological action] Animal experiments show that this product has the effect of relieving intestinal smooth muscle spasms.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; warm; toxic

【Functions and indications】 Diuretic and detumescent; analgesic and parasitic; antimalarial. Malaria

【Usage and Dosage】 For external use: take appropriate amount, mash and apply to the affected area or acupuncture points.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Sichuan Chinese Herbal Medicine": Applying the stems and leaves on acupuncture points can treat malaria, and applying them on the navel can treat abdominal pain and hernia pain.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed introduction to the Chinese medicine Ranunculaceae. We can consume it according to our own needs. I believe there will be improvements after a period of time. It is indeed a good choice.