The efficacy and function of beef tongue

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 ingredient called ox tongue?

[Other names] Sonchus endive (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names and Realities), Sophora flavescens (Flora of Guangzhou), Sophora flavescens (Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine), Ox tongue slices (Nanchuan Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines).

[Source] It is the whole herb of the creeping sow thistle of the Asteraceae family. Taken between March and April. Use fresh or dried.

[Original morphology] Perennial herb with latex and creeping stems. The above-ground stem is erect, 30 to 80 cm high. The leaves are alternate, oblong-lanceolate, 10-20 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, obtuse at the apex, with sparse notches or triangular shallow cracks, small sharp teeth on the edges, and gradually narrowed at the base into a petiole; the stem leaves are sessile, with auricle-like base that embraces the stem. The inflorescence capitula is terminal, arranged in a corymb or cone shape, with a diameter of 2 to 4 cm. The peduncle and bracts are both glandular hairy; the involucre is campanulate, with several layers of bracts, the innermost bracts are long and thin, with membranous edges, lanceolate, and obtuse apex, and the outermost bracts are short; the flowers are yellow, all tongue-shaped; there are 5 stamens, the anthers are connected at the base and gradually pointed at the tail end; the pistil is composed of 2 carpels, the ovary is inferior, the style is slender, and the stigma is 2-lobed. Achenes are oblong, with narrow edges, several longitudinal lines, and slightly rough; the pappus is white, fine and soft. The flowering period is from late autumn to early summer of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Growing on hillsides, roadsides and fields. It is evenly distributed in most parts of my country.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, cold.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies. It is used to treat appendicitis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, mastitis, sores, boils, and burns caused by hot water or fire.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5 to 2 liang. For external use: mash and apply or mash the juice and apply.

[Additional prescription] ① For treating intestinal abscess: 4 liang of Aralia dasyphylla, 1 liang of Glehnia littoralis, 1 liang of Licorice root, and 2 liang of Honeysuckle vine. Decoction in water. (Kuangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above is a detailed introduction to the medicinal value of cow tongue. There are also some ways and methods when eating cow tongue. The above eating methods are very helpful for regulating various problems of the human body, so you can do it with confidence.