The efficacy and function of pine parasite

Traditional Chinese medicine is very helpful in treating certain diseases, so you can feel free when choosing herbs. Pine parasite is a medicinal material that is not unfamiliar to us. Do you know its effects and functions? Let's take a look.

【Other name】 Pine parasite

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the leafy stems and branches of the parasitic plant Pinus obtusifolia of the Morus alba family.

【Original form】 Shrub, 0.5-1m high. Young branches and leaves are densely covered with brown stellate hairs, which fall off later; branchlets are dark brown and tuberculate. Leaves are alternate or clustered on short branches, leathery; petiole 1-2.5mm long; leaf blade nearly spoon-shaped or linear, 2-3cm long, 3-7mm wide, obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, clear brown when dry, with obvious midrib. Umbel, 1-2 axillary, with 2-3 flowers, peduncle 1-2(-3)mm long or almost absent; pedicel 1-2mm long; bracts broadly triangular or broadly ovate, about 1mm long, acute at the apex, rarely 3-lobed; flowers bright red; receptacle ovoid, about 1.5mm long, covered with brown pubescence; epicalyx annular, nearly entire or with lobes; corolla bud tubular, 2-2.7cm long, glabrous, slightly curved, slightly swollen in the lower half, elliptical at the apex, with 4 lobes, lanceolate, 7-8mm long, reflexed; style linear, stigma capitate. The berry is nearly spherical, 4-5mm long, 3-5mm in diameter, purple-red, and has granular skin. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is April-May of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: It grows in mountain coniferous forests or mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 900-2800 (-3100) m, parasitic on plants of the genera Pinus, Chinese Fir, Fir, Spruce or Cedrus.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; neutral

【Meridian】 Liver; Stomach; Lung

【Functions and indications】 Expel wind and dampness; promote qi circulation and relieve pain; resolve phlegm and relieve cough; kill insects and relieve itching. It is used for rheumatic pain, stomachache, phlegm-damp cough, scabies, itching, and skin eczema.

[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; or grind it into powder and apply.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above introduces some common knowledge about pine parasite. In order to make more people understand pine parasite, you can accumulate more related things in your daily life, which will play an important role in maintaining our health.