The efficacy and function of golden buckwheat stems and leaves

Do you know the stems and leaves of golden buckwheat? It is a common Chinese medicinal material and is very helpful for some diseases. Let me show you today.

【source】

Medicinal material source: the stems and leaves of the Polygonaceae plant Fagopyrum serrata.

[Original form]

Perennial herb, 0.5-1.5m tall. The taproot is thick, nodular, horizontal, and reddish brown. The stem is erect, much-branched, grooved, light green with a slight red tint, and the whole plant is slightly covered with white soft hairs. The simple leaves are alternate, petiolate, and have white short soft hairs on the petiole; the leaf blade is halberd-shaped and triangular, with approximately equal length and width, but the top leaf is longer than the width, generally 4-10cm long and 4-9cm wide, with acuminate or caudal tip, base cordate-halberd-shaped, the top leaf is narrow, sessile and clasping the stem, with wavy lines all along, and fine white soft hairs on the veins below; the stipule sheath embraces the stem. Small white flowers bloom in autumn in terminal or axillary, slightly branched cymes; 5 tepals, 8 stamens, 2 whorls; 1 pistil, 3 styles. Achenes are ovate-triangular and reddish brown. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is October.

【Habitat distribution】

Ecological environment: Grown in relatively wet places beside roads and ditches.

【Properties】

Identification of properties: The stem is cylindrical with longitudinal ridges, with a dull green color or slightly purple-red color, with distinct nodes, visible grayish-white membranous leaf sheaths, and the cross section is mostly hollow. The leaves are alternate, mostly wrinkled, and when flattened when wet, the complete leaves are triangular or halberd-shaped, with equal length and width, gradually pointed at the apex, cordate or halberd-shaped base, 7 basal veins, and entire margin; brittle and easily broken. Slight smell, slightly bitter taste.

【Chemical composition】

Both the stems and leaves contain proanthocyanidins[1].

【Nature and flavor】

Bitter; Pungent; Cool

【Meridian】

Lung; Spleen; Liver Meridian

【Function and indications】

Clears away heat and detoxifies; strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness; dispels wind and dredges the meridians. It is mainly used for lung abscess, sore throat, abdominal distension caused by hepatitis, indigestion, dysentery, painful carbuncle, swelling and infection, scrofula, snake and insect bites, rheumatic pain, headache.

【Usage and Dosage】

For internal use: decoction. For external use: take appropriate amount, mash and apply or grind into powder for application.

【extract】

Chinese Materia Medica

Above we introduced what golden buckwheat stems and leaves are. We know that golden buckwheat stems and leaves are a common Chinese herbal medicine with good health and wellness effects. They have many benefits to the human body and can relieve many symptoms. How about it, do you understand?