The efficacy and function of the rusty fruit parasite

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 called rusty-haired fruit parasite?

[Other names] Liwan parasite, chestnut parasite, pear parasite, tea tree parasite, plum parasite

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leafy stems and branches on which the rusty-haired fruit of the plant Morinda citrifolia of the Morinda citrifolia family is parasitic.

【Original form】 Shrub, 0.5-2m high. Young branches, leaves, inflorescences and flowers are densely covered with rusty, sparsely brown superimposed stellate hairs and stellate hairs; branchlets are gray-brown or dark brown, glabrous, with scattered lenticels. Leaves are alternate or nearly opposite, leathery; petiole 6-15mm long, pubescent; leaf blade ovate, rarely elliptic or oblong, 4-8(-10)cm long, (1.5-)2-3.5(-4.5)cm wide, apex obtuse, rarely acute, base nearly rounded, glabrous above, laterally olive green or dark yellow, pubescent beneath; lateral veins 4-6 pairs, obvious on the upper surface. Umbel, 1-2 axillary or born in the axils of fallen leaves of twigs, with 1-3 flowers, peduncle 2.5-5mm long; pedicel 1-2mm long; bracts triangular, 0.5-1mm long; flowers red; receptacle ovoid, about 2mm long; epicalyx annular, slightly involute; corolla tubular in bud, 1.8-2.2cm long, slightly curved, crown tube expanded, ovoid at the top, lobes 4, spoon-shaped, 5-7mm long, reflexed; stamens 4; disk annular; style linear, stigma capitate. The berry is ovoid, about 6mm long and 4mm in diameter, with blunt ends, yellow in color, and granular and covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowering period is from September to December, and the fruiting period is from April to May of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in evergreen broad-leaved forests in mountains or valleys at an altitude of 200-1200m. Often parasitic on oil tea, camphor trees or Fagaceae plants.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The stems and branches are cylindrical, gray-brown or dark brown, with many longitudinal lenticels, and the young branches, young leaves and perianth are rusty and hairy. The leaves are oblong, 3-8cm long and 1.2-3.2cm wide, with the midrib protruding on the lower surface, the lateral veins not obvious, and the back of the leaves densely covered with rusty hairs. Leathery. Sometimes ovoid berries can be seen, which are yellow, wrinkled, granular, and densely hairy. It has a faint smell and tastes slightly bitter and astringent.

[Chemical composition] Protocatechuic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin-3-O-(6"-galloyl)-β-D-glucoside and quercetin-3-0-β-D-glucuronide are isolated from the leaves.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool

【Entry】 Lung; Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears the lungs and relieves cough; eliminates rheumatism. Mainly used for lung heat cough; rheumatic waist and leg pain; skin sores and boils

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g; or soak in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

From the above introduction, it is not difficult to see that the rusty-haired fruit parasite has many functions. People in daily life can eat the rusty-haired fruit parasite in appropriate amounts according to their physical conditions. After a period of time, your physical condition will be greatly improved.