The efficacy and function of dragon claw leaf [picture]

Dragon claw leaf [picture] is a common type of traditional Chinese medicine. It has many different functions and can treat some diseases of the human body. Let us now learn about its specific functions.

【English Name】 twig and leaf of Common Tupidanthus

[Alias] Big seven-leaf lotus, seven-leaf lotus

[Source] Medicinal material source: the stems and leaves of the Araliaceae plant.

[Original form] An evergreen shrub, initially erect, then a large vine, 15-30m long, with a base diameter of about 15cm. The bark is yellow-brown. The leaves are finger-shaped compound leaves with 7-9 leaflets, petioles 15-60cm long, glabrous, petiolules 3-5cm long, glabrous; stipules and petioles are fused at the base, short sheath-shaped; leaflets are leathery, obovate-oblong to oblong, 12-26cm long, 4-9cm wide; apex acuminate to long acuminate, base rounded to broadly cuneate, entire, glabrous; lateral veins 20-30 pairs, fused at the margin, obvious. The inflorescence is a compound umbel or panicle composed of 3-5 umbels; the umbel has 3-7 flowers, 4-6cm in diameter; the peduncle is stout, 4-8cm long, and glabrous; the pedicels are stout, 1-2cm long, and glabrous; the bracts are ovate, about 1.5cm long; the calyx tube is glabrous, with inconspicuous upper teeth on the edge; the petals are connate into a caducous cap with wrinkles on the outside; the stamens are 50-70, the filaments are thick, subulate, about 3mm long, and the anthers are oblong; the ovary is inferior, multi-chambered, without style, and the stigmas are extremely numerous and radially arranged, connate into a longitudinal column; the disk is broad and flat, with a depression in the center. The fruit is oblate, 2-305cm in diameter, yellow-green, with fleshy exocarp; there are many seeds, yellow-white, semicircular, and laterally flattened. The flowering period is June-July, and the fruiting period is August-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in broad forests on hillsides at an altitude of 900-1700m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The vine and stem are 15-30cm long, with a base diameter of about 15cm and an outer surface yellow-brown. Palmately compound leaves, 7-9 leaflets. The complete leaflet is obovate-oblong or narrowly oblong, 10-26cm long, 4-9cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, broadly cuneate at the base, glabrous, entire, with obvious lateral veins; the petiole is 3-5cm long and glabrous. The leaves are leathery.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; slightly spicy; warm

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and activate collaterals; disperse blood stasis and relieve pain; promote dampness and reduce jaundice. Mainly used for colds; rheumatic bone pain; swelling caused by falls; fracture pain; neuralgia; hepatitis jaundice

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g, 30g for fresh product; or soaked in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": It has the functions of relaxing muscles and tendons, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, promoting qi and removing dampness. Used for bruises, fracture pain, hepatitis, colds, neuralgia, and dysentery.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the effects of dragon claw leaves [picture]. When using it, you can do so according to the needs mentioned above. Dragon claw leaves [picture] are also very helpful in treating certain diseases.