The effects and functions of green stem mistletoe

The traditional Chinese medicine green stem mistletoe is a relatively good medicinal material. Many people don’t know much about it, so let’s take a detailed look at the traditional Chinese medicine green stem mistletoe below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leafy stems and branches of the green-stemmed mistletoe plant of the Loranthaceae family.

【Original form】 Shrub, 0.3-0.5m high. The stem is cylindrical, green or yellow-green. Dichotomously or trichotomously branched, internodes 4-8cm long, 2-5mm thick, wrinkled when dry. The leaves are reduced to scales, 0.5-1mm long. Dioecious; both male and female inflorescences are cymose spikes, terminal or axillary at forked branches, peduncle 2-5mm long, usually with 3-5 flowers, terminal flowers with 2 bracts, crossed flowers with 1 bract each; bracts triangular, 1mm long, with short cilia or entire; male flower buds are ovoid, about 3mm long, yellow, with 4 sepals, ovate-triangular, anther elliptical, about 1.5mm long; female flower buds are long ovoid, 2-2.5mm long; receptacle ovoid, sepals 4, triangular, about 0.5mm long, stigma nipple-shaped. The berries are ovoid, 5-6mm long, 4mm in diameter, yellow-green, and have a smooth skin. The flowering period is from December to March of the following year, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in mountain broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 2150-3800m, parasitic on plants such as Populus, Willow, Corylus or Platycodon grandiflorum, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, birch, pear and peach.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The stems and branches are cylindrical, with 2-3 forked branches, 30-50cm long, 1.5-5mm in diameter, swollen nodes, twig internodes 4-8cm long, yellow-green or yellow-brown surface, smooth and hairless, with obvious irregular wrinkles. The leaves are reduced to scale-like. The texture is flexible and not easy to break. The cross section is uneven and fibrous. The bark is yellow and thin. The wood is lighter in color and occupies most of the stem cross section. The pith is not obvious. Fruits can occasionally be seen. They are nearly ovoid, about 6 mm long and 4 mm in diameter, yellow in color, and relatively smooth. It has a faint smell and a slightly bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Pungent; bitter; neutral

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and dampness; stabilize pregnancy; lower blood pressure. Mainly used for rheumatic pain, fetal movement disorder, and hypertension

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole plant: mainly used to treat rheumatic pain and to stabilize pregnancy.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Everyone should know the effects and functions of green stem mistletoe. Green stem mistletoe has high medicinal value and is a very common Chinese medicinal material. It is very good for our body.