The efficacy and function of Agave [Picture]

Agave [picture] is a very common Chinese medicine in our daily life and is also very important in our daily life. However, some people don’t know much about the effects and functions of Agave [picture], so let us learn about it in detail below.

【Other Names】 Gladiolus, Sisal

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leaves of Agave, a plant of the Agave family.

[Original form] Agave is a large perennial herb. The stem is short. There are usually more than 30 leaves in a rosette shape on the stem; the leaves are thick, spoon-shaped, needle-shaped, gray-green, with white powder, and the width of the leaves varies depending on the age of the plant. It can be up to 1.8 cm long and 15-20 cm wide. The leaves on flowers and plants gradually become smaller upwards, with a gradually pointed tip and a brown, 1.5-2.5 cm long hard spike at the end. The edges have wavy serrations, and the tooth ends are bent downward into a hook shape. After growing for more than 10 years, it develops a 5-8m high scape with a multi-branched narrow panicle at the top; the flowers are light yellow-green, nearly funnel-shaped, with a perianth tube about 1.2cm long, 6 lobes, 2.5-3cm long; 6 stamens, inserted in the throat of the perianth tube, the filaments are about twice as long as the perianth segments, and are T-shaped; the ovary is inferior, 3-chambered, each chamber has multiple ovules, and the stigma is 3-lobed. The capsule is oblong, about 5cm long and 3cm in diameter. One inflorescence can produce 1500-3000 bulbils. Flowering period is from June to August.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: It is often introduced and cultivated in southern and southwestern provinces and regions of China.

[Cultivation] Biological Characteristics: Native to Mexico, it prefers a warm, dry and sunny environment and can grow normally as long as the winter temperature is not lower than 5℃. When the temperature of adult agave is kept at -5 to 6℃, the leaves will only be slightly damaged by frost. When the temperature is kept at -13℃, the above ground will freeze and rot, but the underground stems will survive and will sprout and develop leaves the following year and continue to grow normally. It is suitable for cultivation in well-drained sandy or clay loam and can tolerate dry and poor soil. It is mostly grown in gardens in warm regions, while in cold regions it needs to be grown in greenhouse pots or barrels. Stones and tiles should be placed at the bottom of the pots to facilitate drainage.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The leaves are wrinkled and curled, and when flattened, the intact leaves are spoon-lanceolate, 30-65cm long and 1.7-6.2cm wide. Both sides are yellow-green or dark green, with dense vertical textures and break marks, and yellow-brown granules can be seen at some break marks; the tip is sharp, the base gradually narrows, the edges on both sides are slightly wavy, and there are brown hard thorns on the protrusions. It is tough and hard to break. It has a slight odor and tastes sour and astringent.

[Chemical composition] The leaves contain saponins, whose structures are known: agave saponins (a-gavoside) A, B, C, C′, D, E, F, G, H. Eight more sapogenins were obtained from the leaves: hecogenin, 9-dehy-drophecogenin, tigogenin, rokoge-nin, 12-epirockogenin, gitoge-nin, chlorogenin and manogenin. It also contains piscidic acid and adenosine 3′:5′-cyclomonophophate. The aerial parts contain agamanone, tratriacontanol, tetratriacon-tylhexadecanoate, and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-trltrlacontyl-4(H)-benzopyran-4-one.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; sour; warm

【Functions and indications】Detoxification and extraction of pus; killing parasites; stopping bleeding. Mainly used for carbuncle, ulcer, scabies, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine bleeding

【Usage and Dosage】For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application. For internal use: decoction, 10-15g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Agave [picture] is a common Chinese medicinal material, but it is often forgotten by people. In fact, its effects and functions are beyond your imagination. As long as you are good at eating it and use the right method, I believe it will be of great help to your body.