The efficacy and function of cough grass

Cough Herb is a very common Chinese medicine. Although it is very common, it has many magical effects. Let’s take a look at it below.

【English Name】 Herb of Dwarf Denseflower Elsholtzia

[Other names] Elsholtzia oleracea, Elsholtzia oleracea, Perilla frutescens

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Elsholtzia densiflora and Elsholtzia calyx, plants of the Lamiaceae family.

[Original morphology] 1. Dense-flowered Elsholtzia, annual herb, 20-60cm tall. The stem is erect, quadrangular, and pubescent. Leaves opposite; petiole 3-13mm long, hairy; leaf blade oblong-lanceolate or elliptic, 1-4cm long, 5-15mm wide, acute at apex, cuneate at base, serrated at margin above base, pubescent on both sides; bracts obovate, about 1.5mm long, pubescent with nodal hairs; calyx campanulate, about 1mm long, densely covered with purple beaded long hairs, 5 calyx teeth, nearly triangular, calyx swollen and nearly spherical when fruiting, about 3-4mm in diameter, covered with soft hairs; corolla lavender, about 2.5mm long, covered with beaded long hairs on the outside, upper lip erect, slightly emarginate at apex, lower lip 3-lobed, middle lobe larger, 4 stamens, the front pair longer, slightly exposed, anther nearly round; ovary 4-lobed, style slightly protruding, stigma 2-lobed. The nutlets are oval, about 2 mm long, dark brown, pubescent, and have a small tubercle at the tip. The flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: 1. Growing in alpine meadows, under forests, on forest edges, by rivers or on wastelands on mountain slopes at an altitude of 1800-4100m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: the stems and leaves are square-cylindrical, 20-60cm long, branched at the base, and covered with short soft hairs; the texture is brittle. The leaves are curled and wrinkled, and when flattened they are oblong or elliptical, 1-4cm long, 0.5-1.5cm wide, and covered with soft hairs on both sides. Sometimes pseudospikes can be seen with dark purple flowers. After rubbing, it has a unique fragrance and a spicy and cool taste.

[Chemical composition] The stems and leaves of Elsholtzia densiflora contain flavonoids, furanocoumarins and other ingredients.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; slightly warm

【Functions and indications】Inducing sweat and relieving exterior symptoms; removing dampness and harmonizing the middle. It is used to treat summer colds; headaches and heaviness; sweating and chills; abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea; edema; sores, carbuncles, swelling and infection; pinworms; vaginal trichomoniasis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3-9g; or grind into powder. For external use: take appropriate amount, mash and apply; or grind into powder and apply.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat heatstroke and cold (fever, heavy head, chest tightness, weakness in limbs, diarrhea): 3 grams of Elsholtzia ciliata, 3 grams of Magnolia officinalis, 5 grams of White Labain. Decoction in water. (Handbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Xinjiang) ②Treat nephritis (edema, oliguria): 2 qian each of Elsholtzia ciliata and Atractylodes macrocephala. Decoction in water. (Handbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Xinjiang)

[Discussions by various scholars] 1. "Handbook of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in Xinjiang": induces sweating, relieves heat, promotes the flow of dampness, and promotes diuresis. Treat heatstroke, colds, and nephritis.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Knowing the effects and functions of cough grass, for most friends, if you feel you need it, you might as well eat some of it in your daily life. I believe it will effectively improve your condition. However, in order to ensure the effect after consumption, please be sure to consume it according to the requirements and avoid some bad living habits so that you can get the expected effect.