The efficacy and function of Quinoa

Quinoa is a very familiar medicinal material with unusual effects and functions. It is the key to cure many diseases. Let's have a deeper understanding of Quinoa!

[Other names] Grey quinoa, Grey rapeseed

[Source] Medicinal material source: the fruit or seed of Chenopodiaceae.

[Original form] 1. Annual herb, 30-150cm tall. The stem is erect, thick, ribbed, with green or purple-red stripes, and many branches. Leaves are alternate; petiole is nearly as long as leaf blade, or 1/2 of the length of leaf blade; lower leaf blade is rhombic-ovate or ovate-triangular, 3-6cm long, 2.5-5cm wide, with acute or slightly pure tip, cuneate base, usually without powder on the upper side, sometimes with purple-red powder on the young leaves, with dentate or irregularly lobed edges; upper leaf blade is lanceolate and often powdery underneath. The flowers are small, bisexual, yellow-green, and clustered into a cluster of 8-15 flowers. Many flower clusters form large or small panicles, growing in leaf axils and branch tops; there are 5 tepals, with longitudinal ridges on the back, powdery, slightly concave at the tip, and membranous edges; there are 5 stamens, extending out of the tepals; the ovary is oblate, with a short style and 2 stigmas. The fruit is slightly flat and nearly round, with the pericarp attached to the seeds and enclosed in the perianth. The seeds are horizontal, biconvex, black, shiny, and have shallow grooves on the surface. The flowering period is August-September, and the fruiting period is September-October.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: 1. Grown in wasteland, roadsides and hillsides.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The fruit is pentagonal and oblate, with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm. The perianth is tightly wrapped around the fruit, yellow-green in color, and has 5 lobes at the top. The lobes are triangular, slightly curled, with 5 radiating ridges on the back; wingless; there is one fruit inside, the pericarp is membranous and attached to the seed. The seeds are hemispherical, black, shiny, and have shallow grooves on the surface.

【Chemical composition】 The seeds contain cryptomeridiol and 8-α-acetylcryptomeridiol［1］.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; slightly sweet; cold; slightly toxic

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and dampness; kills insects and relieves itching. Mainly used for urinary incontinence, edema, skin eczema, head ulcer, deafness

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; or burn the medicine and make application on the affected area.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the effects of Quinoa. When using it, you can do so according to the needs mentioned above. Quinoa is also very helpful in treating certain diseases.