The efficacy and function of moonflower

Speaking of moonflower, many people know that it is a Chinese medicinal material. So do you know the effects and functions of moonflower? How should it be eaten? Let’s find out now.

[Other names] Tianqieer, Chang'e flying to the moon

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Moonflower, a plant of the Convolvulaceae family.

[Original form] Moonflower is an annual twining herb that can grow up to 10 meters long. The whole plant has latex. Stem green, cylindrical, nearly smooth or with more or less soft spines. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 5-12cm long; leaf blade is ovate, 10-20cm long, 5-15cm wide, with long acute or acuminate tip, cordate base, entire or slightly angular or divided. The flowers are large, open at night, and arranged in racemes of 1 to more than one. Sometimes the axis of the inflorescence is zigzag. The flowers are bisexual, with 5 sepals, ovate, green, and long-awned. The corolla is white, with light green in the middle of the petals, and the rim of the corolla is shallowly 5-circularly fissured, expanding, with a diameter of 7-12cm. The stamens and styles extend out of the corolla. There are 5 stamens, and the filaments are cylindrical, attached to the corolla tube. The base of the anthers is arrow-shaped and light yellow. The disk is annular and fleshy. The ovary is oblong-conical, the style is cylindrical, and the stigma is large and 2-globose. The capsule is ovate, about 3 cm long, with a sharp tip and the base is surrounded by enlarged sepals. The seeds are hairless, about 1 cm long, 7-8 mm wide, and yellowish-white, brown or black. The flowering period is from August to October, and the fruiting period is from September to November.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: mostly cultivated, but also wild.

【Cultivation】 1. Biological characteristics: Moonflower is native to tropical America and prefers warmth. It likes humid climate and cannot tolerate severe cold. It is not very demanding on soil and can adapt to most soil.

[Chemical composition] The leaves contain the plant hormone calonyctin A, which is a glycoside homologue composed of 4 rhamnose and 2 aglycones with a relative molecular mass difference of 28 mass units.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; cool

【Functions and indications】Detoxifies snake venom. Primary snake bites

【Usage and Dosage】For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Moonflower not only has many functions, but also can be eaten in many ways in our lives, so it is loved by many people.