The efficacy and function of Litsea cubeba

Litsea cubeba has a long history, and up to now, its uses are increasing. I wonder if you guys know about its other effects. Let us introduce it in detail below, hoping it will be helpful to you guys.

【English name】 Sericeousleaf Litse

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruit of Litsea cubeba, a plant of the Lauraceae family.

[Original form] Litsea cubeba is a deciduous shrub or small tree, up to 6m tall. Young branches are green, densely covered with rusty or yellowish-white long silky hairs; terminal buds are conical, with glabrous scales or only short soft hairs on the upper part. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 1-1.2cm long, covered with yellow-white long silky hairs; leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate, 8-12cm long, 2-4cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, cuneate at the base, papery, densely covered with yellow-white or rusty long silky hairs on both sides when young, which gradually fall off later, leaving only the midrib above with hairs, and sparse long hairs on the below, which are denser along the veins and darker in color. Umbel solitary at the top of last year's branches, opening before leaves or at the same time as leaves; flowers unisexual, dioecious, each inflorescence with 8-20 flowers, pedicels 5-7mm long, densely pubescent; perianth lobes 6, elliptic, light yellow, with 3 veins; male flowers have 9 fertile stamens, sometimes 6 or 12, filaments short and glabrous, and reduced ovary ovate. The fruit is nearly spherical, about 5mm in diameter, with a distinct small tip at the tip, and the fruit stalk is 1.5-2cm long. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is August-September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on hillside roadsides, in bushes or in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The fruit is broadly oval or spherical in nearly two years, with a diameter of about 5mm. The surface is brown, with a fine tip and a slightly thickened disc-shaped perianth at the base. After the skin is broken, the hard and crisp core and 1 seed can be seen. It has a fragrant aroma and a spicy and cool taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; warm

【Meridian】 Spleen; Lung; Bladder

【Functions and indications】Diuretic; expectorant; wind-dispelling and stomachic; antiseptic. It is used to treat cold pain in the abdomen, abdominal distension and vomiting.

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

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": It has diuretic, antiseptic, expectorant, wind-relieving and stomachic functions.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction in this article, we can learn some relevant knowledge about Litsea cubeba. Whether from the perspective of food health or traditional Chinese medicine, the role of Litsea cubeba cannot be underestimated.