The efficacy and function of old gun millet

Laoqiang millet is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. There are precedents of using Laoqiang millet to treat diseases in ancient times, so we can eat it with confidence. Next, I will mainly introduce to you the effects of old gun millet.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The seeds of Amaranthus caudatus of the Amaranthaceae family.

[Original morphology] Annual erect herb, 1.5-2.5m tall. The stem is stout, obtusely angular, single or slightly branched, green or often pink. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 2.5-15cm long, sparsely pubescent; leaf blade is rhombic-ovate or rhombic-lanceolate, 4-15cm long, 2-8cm wide, apex is short acuminate or obtuse, with small awn tip, base is broadly cuneate, slightly asymmetrical, margin is entire or wavy, glabrous on both sides, sparsely pubescent on veins. It blooms in summer and autumn. The panicle is terminal and drooping, composed of many or few spikes. The lateral spikes are 2.5-25cm long, and the terminal ones are several times longer. Inflorescence, male and female flowers are mixed in the same flower cluster. The sepals and bracteoles are membranous, red, and lanceolate. There are 5 sepals, which are oblong. The tepals are red, transparent, with 1 vein in the middle. The tepals of male flowers are oblong, with 5 stamens; the tepals of female flowers are oblong-lanceolate, with 3 styles. The capsule is nearly oval, red in the upper part, and cracked in the lid. The seeds are lenticular, light brownish yellow, with thick rings. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is September-October.

[Habitat distribution] It is cultivated in all parts of my country and also grows wild. Native to the tropics.

[Chemical composition] Two polypeptide substances, Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2, are isolated from the seeds. Ac-AMP1 is composed of 29 amino acids including cysteine ​​and glycine, while Ac-AMP2 is composed of the carboxyl end of Ac-AMP1 connected to arginine.

[Pharmacological action] Two polypeptide substances (Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2) are extracted from the seeds of this variety. At concentrations lower than those of known antifungal proteins, they can inhibit the growth of various plant pathogenic fungi and have antibacterial effects on Gram-positive bacteria, while being non-toxic to human cells.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; Cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and penetrates the surface. Mainly used for children's chickenpox and measles

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-6g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

In the above article, we introduced the old gun millet and its characteristics. We can know that the old gun millet has very good efficacy and functions, and it has played a role in the treatment and auxiliary treatment of many diseases. I hope this will be helpful to everyone’s health.