The efficacy and function of Tibetan chicken claw grass

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Tibetan chicken feet grass.

【Other Names】 Chicken Claw Grass, Golden Lotus

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of the Ranunculaceae plant Ranunculaceae.

[Original form] Ranunculus, perennial herb. The entire plant is glabrous. The stem is 4-18cm tall and unbranched. There are 3-10 basal leaves and 1-3 stem leaves, growing at the lower part of the stem, with a petiole 3-13cm long and a sheath at the base; the leaf blade is rounded pentagonal, 1-2.5cm long and 1.4-4.2cm wide, with a deeply cordate base, 3-lobed, the central lobe is broadly rhombic or rhombic-broadly obovate, twice finely lobed, the last lobe is nearly adjacent or separate, with sharp teeth, and the lateral lobes are obliquely fan-shaped, with unequal 2 lobes near the base. Flowers are solitary at the top of the stem; sepals are 5-8, yellow, turning green when dry, obovate or fan-shaped obovate, 1-1.5cm long, 1-1.8cm wide; petals are numerous, spoon-shaped, 4.5-6mm long; stamens are numerous, 5-7mm long; anthers are oblong, 2.5-3mm long; carpels are 7-9. The aggregate fruit is about 1 cm in diameter, lettuce-like, about 1 cm long, and the beak is about 1 mm long. The seeds are oval, about 1 mm long and shiny. The flowering period is from May to July, and the fruiting period is August.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on mountain grass slopes, waterside grasslands or forests at an altitude of 2900-4100m.

[Properties] Characteristic identification: the stem is unbranched and mostly wrapped in the leaf sheath of the basal petiole. The leaves are green-brown, moist and flat, pentagonal, 1.1-2.5cm long, 1.4-4cm wide, 3-parted, the lobes are further divided, the lobes have 1-2 triangular sharp teeth, and are glabrous on both sides; the petiole is 3-13cm long, and the base is swollen and sheath-like. The flowers are wrinkled, moist and flattened, round, 2.2-3.6cm in diameter, with 5-8 sepals, yellow-green, obovate, 1-1.5cm long and 1-1.7cm wide; the petals are brown, spoon-shaped and linear, 4.5-6mm long; there are many stamens. It has a faint smell and a spicy taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; spicy; warm

【Entry】 Lung; Spleen

【Functions and indications】Relieve rheumatism and dispel cold. Mainly used for rheumatism and numbness; joint pain and cramps; chicken claw wind; lymph tuberculosis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-12g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Tibetan chicken feet is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, Tibetan chicken feet should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.