The efficacy and function of Aspleniaceae

Friends who don’t know about Styplenia grandis will not understand its effects and functions. Styplenia grandis is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. Many people only know it in terms of its morphology, so it is difficult to understand what benefits Styplenia grandis can really bring to people’s health. We need to have an in-depth understanding of this medicinal material.

【English name】 Largepinna Spleenwort

【Other name】 Cuibu

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb or rhizome of Aspleniaceae.

【Original form】Plant height 50-80cm. The rhizome is short and obliquely ascending, covered with dark brown, shiny lanceolate scales, and has an entire margin. Leaves are clustered; petiole is 15-30cm long, gray-green, initially scaly, then smooth; leaf blade is nearly leathery, smooth on both sides, ovate-lanceolate, 30-60cm long, 12-18cm wide, acuminate at the apex, and three to four pinnate-lobed at the base; pinnae are 10-12 pairs, nearly opposite at the base, alternate at the top, triangular-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 8-14cm long, 3-5cm wide, narrow and shortly acuminate at the apex, and the pinnae petiole is 1.5-2cm long; pinnules are 5-7 pairs, alternate, slightly obliquely spreading, triangular, 2-3cm long, 1-1.5cm wide, rounded or slightly pointed at the apex, deeply pinnate-lobed or pinnate, with short petioles; terminal segments are rhombic or narrowly cuneate, rounded at the apex, with irregular teeth on the margins, sometimes split; leaf veins are obvious and nearly fan-shaped. Sori linear, with 4-5 in each lobe; sori cap linear, light brown, membranous, entire, persistent. The spores are ovate, yellow, with distinct ridges and sparse reticulation.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown under forests on hillsides.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The rhizome is 2-4cm long, with numerous fibrous roots and dark brown lanceolate scales. Petiole 15-30cm long; leaf blade oblong-lanceolate, 30-40cm long, 12-18cm wide, three to four pinnate-lobed, dark yellow-green to dark yellow-brown, and curled longitudinally. The rachis is purple-brown and grooved ventrally. The sori are linear and borne on the veinlets; the sori cap is brown. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Light; neutral

【Entry】 Kidney; Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and dampness. Mainly used for rheumatism, pain in waist and legs

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 9-15g; or soak in wine.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": light taste, neutral nature. It has the function of expelling rheumatism and strengthening the waist and knees. Used for low back and leg pain, rheumatoid arthritis.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above, we introduced what is Asplenia hirta and understood the effects and functions of Asplenia hirta. Asplenia hirta can improve our immunity. It also has a therapeutic effect in health preservation and has many benefits to our body.