The efficacy and function of Schefflera arboricola

Schefflera arborvitae is a medicinal material. If we have some understanding of its medicinal value, we can correctly use Schefflera arborvitae to treat some related diseases in life. Let’s take a look at it below.

[Other names] Seven-leaf lotus, five-leaf wind, wood gram, five-leaf bark, dragon claw tree, Hantao leaf, evergreen, five-claw leaf

[Source] Medicinal material source: the stems and leaves of Schefflera densiflora of the Araliaceae family.

[Original form] Shrubs or small trees, 2-10m high, sometimes epiphytic vine-like shrubs. The bark is grayish white; the branches are thick, cylindrical, green, with yellow lenticels and rusty star-shaped hairs that are quickly shed. The palmate compound leaves are alternate, with 5-7 leaflets; the petioles are cylindrical, 10-18cm long, glabrous, the petiolules are unequal in length, with narrow grooves, 2-5cm long, the central one is longer than the two sides, and glabrous; the stipules and petiole base are combined to form a sheath; the leaf blade is leathery, elliptic to oblong, 11-16cm long, 4-6cm wide; the apex is obtuse, acute or short acuminate, the base is gradually narrowed, obtuse to nearly rounded, the margin is entire, and both sides are glabrous; there are 4-8 pairs of lateral veins, and the reticulate veins are dense and raised. The umbel has 6-12 flowers, forming a terminal panicle; the peduncle is 5-7mm long, and the pedicel is 1-2mm long; the bracts are triangular, about 7mm long, and fall off early; the calyx is glabrous, with entire to nearly entire margins; the petals are 5, 2mm long, with 3 veins, glabrous on both sides, and the flowers are light pink; the stamens are 5, equal to or slightly longer than the petals, the ovary is inferior, 5-chambered, without style, with 5 stigmas, sessile, and the disk is slightly raised. The fruit is oval or nearly spherical, with 5 edges, about 4mm long, and red. The flowering period is May and the fruiting period is June.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in evergreen broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 900-1500m.

【Properties】Properties identification: branches and leaves are mostly cut into segments. The branches are sometimes curved, with brown outer surface, longitudinal lines and half-moon leaf scars. The complete leaf blade is elliptical to oblong, 7-20cm long and 3-10cm wide, with an acute or acuminate apex, a rounded to cuneate base, entire margin, glabrous, and obvious reticulate veins; acute or acuminate, a rounded to cuneate base, entire margin, glabrous, and obvious reticulate veins; petiolules are 1.5-6cm long and glabrous. The branches are tough and the leaves are leathery.

[Chemical composition] Contains β-amyrin, β-sitos-terol, oleanonic acid, oleanolic acid, betulinic acid, β-sitosterol-β-D-glucoside, betulinic acid glycoside; the leaves contain lupin-20(29)-en-28-oic-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(2→1)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; warm

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and relieve pain; promote blood circulation and reduce swelling. It is used for rheumatic pain, stomach pain, swelling caused by falls, fractures, and bleeding caused by trauma.

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

【Note】 Pregnant women should take with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction of the above content, we can understand that the traditional Chinese medicine Schefflera arborvitae plays a very important role in many aspects. Proper consumption of Schefflera arboricola has many benefits to our body.