The efficacy and function of horse grass

As we all know, horse grass is a very common medicinal material with many years of history. It can also treat many diseases. Let us learn about the medicinal value of horse grass.

[Alias] Rotten clothes grass (Guizhou Folk Medicine).

[Source] The whole herb of Setaria viridis, a plant of the Poaceae family. Harvest in autumn.

[Original form] Perennial herb, up to 1 meter tall. Culms erect, base sometimes dilated. The leaves are elliptic to oblong, strongly wrinkled, 7-25 cm long, 1.2-3 cm wide, gradually pointed at both ends, with sparse papillate hairs or bare on the veins on both sides; the leaf sheaths are bare, with soft hairs at the sheath mouth. The panicle is spire-shaped, sparse, up to 30 cm long or longer, green; the branches are upward, sparse, 1-7 cm long; the spikelets are elliptic, about 3 mm long, short-pointed, and closely arranged on short branchlets to form interrupted and recurrent racemes; some spikelets have a bristle at the base, which is usually less than 1 cm long; the first glume is nearly round, about 1 mm long, cuneate at the apex, and 3 veins; the second glume is elliptic, about 2 mm long, and 5 veins; the sterile florets are neutral; the lemma is elliptic, about 3 mm long, and 5 veins; the palea is narrow, lanceolate, and transparent; the lemma of the solid florets is about 2.5 mm long, wrinkled, and the narrower margin is rolled inward, holding the palea. Flowering and fruiting period is summer and autumn.

[Habitat distribution] It grows in shady wetlands and under forests. Distributed throughout the south of the Yangtze River Basin.

[Nature and flavor] It is mild in nature, light in taste, and non-toxic.

【Functions and indications】Detoxification, insecticide, and decomposition of dead meat.

[Additional prescription] ① To treat ringworm: pound young horse grass into a pulp, extract the juice and apply it to the affected area.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

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