The efficacy and function of Hemerocallis

I believe many people are familiar with the Chinese medicinal material Xuanzao. As a common Chinese medicinal material, Xuanzao is rich in nutrients. Let us learn about it in detail below.

【English name】 algae

[Other names] Seaweed, seaweed, laozijin, yellow seaweed, seaweed tube, seaweed grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: The algae of the plant Heterocarpus fulgens of the Heterocarpus family.

[Original morphology] The algae are yellowish brown to brown, growing in single clusters, upright, tubular, 50-100cm high, 0.1-1cm in diameter, solid when young, and soon become hollow. Cylindrical, sometimes slightly flattened or twisted, the nodes are generally constricted; but there are also smooth and nodeless ones. The algae has a pointed or obtuse apex and a thin base. The body is composed of medulla and inner and outer cortex. The 1-2 layers of cells near the body surface are small, closely arranged, and contain pigments. The inward cells are the cortical cells, which are large and colorless. The middle medullary cells are colorless. As they gradually separate, the center eventually becomes a cavity. When the alga matures, multi-chambered gametangia are distributed on the body surface in patches. The algal holdfast is disc-shaped.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown on rocks or in rocky swamps in the mid-tidal zone, also grows in rocky swamps in the high tide zone and on reefs in the low tide zone. The body shape varies with the tidal zone and water quality. For example, those growing in the high tide zone are small and without nodes; those growing below the mid-tidal zone are thick and mostly constricted into nodes.

[Properties] Identification by properties: The algae are gray-green, green-brown or dark brown, and are in the shape of twisted strips or irregular blocks. After being flattened by water immersion, the algae body is linear, tubular, flattened or twisted, 20-50cm long, 2-5mm in diameter, and some have constricted nodes. Sometimes patchy gametangium clusters can be seen on the surface of the algae. The base of the holdfast is disc-shaped. It is brittle and easily broken. It has a slightly fishy smell and tastes salty.

[Chemical composition] The algae contain phosphatidylcholine and phenol. The sex attractants secreted by female gametes include left-handed (1R, 2R)- and right-handed (1S, 2S)-dictyopterene B (hormosirene), ectocarpene and trace amounts of (3Z, 6Z, 9Z)-dodecatrienoic acid. In addition, dictyopterene A, C1 and D are isolated from sexually mature bacteria.

[Pharmacological action] 1. Significantly increases the coronary flow of isolated guinea pig hearts and anesthetized dogs.

【Nature and flavor】 Salty; cold

【Entry into Meridians】 Enters the liver and lung meridians

【Functions and indications】Resolving phlegm and softening hard masses; clearing away heat and detoxifying. Mainly used for cough, laryngitis, goiter, cervical lymphadenopathy

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole algae tastes salty and is cold in nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Used for laryngitis, dry cough, goiter and cervical lymphadenopathy.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Xuanwei. Xuanwei has a great effect and is of great benefit to the human body. Therefore, everyone can choose Xuanwei according to their physical condition, but it should still be done under the doctor's advice.