The efficacy and function of dragon claw tree

Dragon claw tree is a common medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine. So what are the health benefits of dragon claw tree? In what aspects of daily life is dragon claw tree widely used? Let’s take a brief look at the dragon claw tree.

[Other names] Schefflera bromeliad, seven-leaf plus, Schefflera bromeliad, seven-leaf lotus, southwest Schefflera bromeliad

[Source] Medicinal material source: the leaves or stem bark of Schefflera arborvitae of the Araliaceae family.

[Original form] Flat-plate Schefflera arborvitae, a tree. Branchlets brown, more or less pubescent which rapidly fall off. There are 5-7 leaflets; petiole is cylindrical, about 20cm long, glabrous, petiolules are 2-4cm long, smooth and glabrous; leaflets are leathery, oblong, 12-18cm long, 5-6cm wide, acuminate at apex, rounded at base, entire, smooth and glabrous on both sides; lateral veins are 8-12 pairs, and dense reticulate veins are slightly raised on both sides. Umbels arranged in terminal racemes, 20-30cm long, with main axis sparsely stellate to almost hairy; umbels 15-20 racemes arranged on branches, with 8-10 flowers, peduncle about 8mm long; pedicels 2-3mm long, stellate to almost hairless; bracts and bracteoles caducous; calyx tomentose, with 5 teeth; 5 petals, tomentose outside, glabrous inside, about 2mm long; 5 stamens, filaments slightly longer than petals; ovary inferior, 5-chambered, without style. The fruit is spherical with 5 inconspicuous edges and a diameter of 4mm; the disk is oblate-conical, not pentagonal. The flowering period is June-July, and the fruiting period is August-September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in forests at an altitude of 800-1500m.

【Properties】 Identification of properties, whole leaves or chopped. The complete leaves are oblong to lanceolate, 15-20cm long, 6-9cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, rounded at the base, entire, glabrous, with obvious fleshy veins; the petiolules can be up to 10cm long and glabrous. Leathery.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly bitter; slightly sweet; bitter; warm

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness; promote blood circulation and relieve pain. Mainly used for arthralgia; cold; swelling and pain from falls; stomachache; bleeding from trauma

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

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above are the effects and functions of the dragon claw tree. We can also eat the dragon claw tree reasonably according to our own situation to relieve the pain caused by the disease.