The efficacy and function of Sichuan alum [picture]

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Sichuan alum [picture]?

[Other names] Yellow ash tree, gray ash tree

[Source] Medicinal material source: the roots, stems and leaves of Sichuan Alum of the Alumaceae family.

【Original form】 Small tree. Branchlets slightly angular, glabrous. Leaves are alternate; petiole 5-10mm long; leaf blade thin leathery, oblong or narrowly elliptic, 7-13cm long, 2-5cm wide, acuminate or long acuminate at apex, cuneate at base, with sharp serrations on margin; midrib raised on leaf surface. The spike inflorescence is umbellate; the bracts are broadly obovate, about 2mm wide, with white long hairs or soft hairs on the back; the calyx is about 3mm long, the lobes are oblong, about 2mm long, with white long hairs or fine hairs on the back, black and short, about 1mm long; the corolla is 3-4mm long, with 5 deep lobes almost reaching the base; the stamens are 30-40, the filaments are of different lengths, extending out of the corolla, 4-5mm long, and the base of the filaments is slightly united into obvious 5 stamens; the disk is white long hairs or fine hairs; the style is about 3mm long, and the ovary is 3-chambered. The drupe is ovate or oblong, 5-8mm long, with erect persistent calyx lobes at the apex and persistent bracts at the base; the karyotype is bony and separated into three separate karyotypes. The flowering period is March-April, and the fruiting period is May-June.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in mixed forests on hillsides below 1800m above sea level.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The leaves are mostly wrinkled and broken, yellowish brown, and the intact ones are oblong or narrowly elliptical when flattened, 7-13cm long, 2-5cm wide, acuminate or long acuminate at the apex, cuneate at the base, with sharp serrations on the edge, and the midrib is convex on both sides; the petiole is 5-10mm long. Leaves thin leathery. Slight odor, light taste.

【Chemical composition】 Contains Symplocoige-nin.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cold

【Meridian】 Lung meridian

【Functions and indications】 Promotes diuresis; relieves asthma; clears away heat and detoxifies. Mainly used for swelling and fullness due to dampness; cough and wheezing; fire eyes; sores and ringworms

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

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The root has the function of relieving cough and reducing swelling, and is used for swelling due to water retention. The leaves are used for cough and asthma.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Sichuan alum [picture] not only has multiple functions, but also has many ways of consumption in our lives, so it is loved by many people.