The efficacy and function of magnolia parasite

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

[Other names] Maple parasite, Guangdong parasite

[Source] Medicinal material source: The parasitic stems and branches of Magnolia grandiflora, a plant of the Morinaceae family.

【Original form】 Shrub, 1-1.3m high. Young branches densely covered with yellow-brown stellate hairs, branchlets gray-brown, glabrous, with scattered lenticels. Leaves are opposite or nearly opposite, leathery; petiole 5-12mm long; leaf blade ovate-oblong or obovate, often slightly oblique, 4-12cm long, 2.5-6cm wide, with obtuse apex, cuneate base, often slightly decurrent, glabrous on both sides; 4-5 pairs of lateral veins. Umbel, 1-3 axillary or born in the axils of fallen leaves of branches, with 3-6 flowers, peduncle 3-5mm long, inflorescence and flowers are covered with yellow-brown stellate hairs, which gradually become sparse; pedicel about 3mm long; bracts ovate, about 1mm long; flowers red or orange; receptacle long ovoid, 1.5-2.5mm long; epicalyx annular; corolla tubular in bud, 2.7-3cm long, slightly curved, swollen in the lower half, elliptical at the top, with 4 lobes, lanceolate, about 9mm long, reflexed; 4 stamens; style linear, stigma capitate. The berries are oval, blunt at both ends, with small tubercles on the pericarp, sparsely hairy, about 7mm long and 3-4mm in diameter when ripe, light yellow or light reddish yellow, and hairless. The flowering period is from October to March of the following year, and the fruiting period is from June to July.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in mountain broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 240-1300m, parasitic on plants such as Ledong magnolia, golden-leaf Michelia, Liquidambar formosana, Loropetalum, tung oil tree, camphor tree, fragrant leaf tree, chestnut, Castanea henryi, and sycamore.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; sweet; slightly warm

【Meridian】 Liver; Kidney

【Functions and indications】Nourishes the liver and kidneys; eliminates rheumatism; and stabilizes pregnancy. Mainly used for waist and knee pain; rheumatic pain; miscarriage and bleeding; fetal movement disorder

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g; or soak in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or boil it in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above content is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal magnolia parasiticus. I hope it can be of some help to everyone. There are many medicinal herbs similar to magnolia parasites in our daily life. When we consume Chinese medicines such as Magnolia parasiticus, we need to follow the doctor's instructions and not consume them blindly.