The efficacy and function of konjac

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

[Alias] Konjac (Kaibao Materia Medica), white konjac, ghost taro (Compendium of Materia Medica), ghost head (Compendium of Materia Medica), grinding taro (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names and Realities), flower stalk lotus (Nanjing Folk Medicinal Herbs), black taro (Compendium of Common Folk Herbs), pedicel lotus, tiger palm, flower umbrella handle, snake head grass root (Jiangxi Herbs), snake six grains, thunder star, ghost candle, snake head, single-leaf aconite, pedicel arisaema, sky six grains, star taro (Zhejiang Folk Herbs Commonly Used

[Source] It is the tuber of konjac , a plant of the Araceae family. Harvest in late autumn.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 0.5 to 2 meters high, with huge oblate underground tubers. The petiole is thick, cylindrical, light green with visible purple spots; the leaves are palmately compound, the leaflets are pinnately divided, and the axis has irregular wings; the lobes are lanceolate, 4 to 8 cm long, with a pointed tip, a cuneate base, and a reticulate vein. The spathe is large, broadly ovate, tubular at the bottom, dark purple with green stripes, and about 30 cm long. The flowers are unisexual and appear before the leaves; the spadix is ​​cylindrical, pale yellowish white, usually extending out of the spathe, with many small reddish-purple female flowers at the bottom and many small brown male flowers at the top, and has large dark purple appendages that are enlarged and rod-shaped, protruding out of the spathe; the ovary is spherical, with a short style. The berries are spherical or oblate, and are yellow-red when ripe. Flowering period is summer.

[Habitat distribution] It grows under sparse woods, on the edge of forests, by streams, or is cultivated in gardens. Distributed from southeast to southwest my country.

【Chemical composition】 Contains glucomannan.

[Pharmacological action] Warm immersion solution has the effect of dilating peripheral blood vessels (preceded by a brief contraction), lowering blood pressure (rabbits and dogs), and exciting isolated intestines, but all of these can be antagonized by atropine or antihistamines. It causes edema in the lower limbs of rats and has almost no toxicity to mice.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, warm, toxic.

【Functions and indications】Resolving phlegm and dispersing accumulation, removing blood stasis and relieving swelling. Treats phlegm, cough and stagnation. Malaria, amenorrhea, traumatic injuries, carbuncle, furuncle, erysipelas, burns due to hot water or fire.

[Usage and Dosage] For internal use: boil into soup, 3 to 5 qian (must be boiled for 2 hours and drink the juice). For external use: grind with vinegar and apply or cook and mash the mixture and apply.

【Note】 Do not accidentally ingest the drug residue to avoid poisoning.

[Additional prescription] ① To treat long-term malaria: stew konjac and Polygonum multiflorum with chicken and drink. (Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Records)

[Note] The same genus of plants , Konjac, are also used for medicinal purposes.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Konjac is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, konjac should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.