The efficacy and function of polyalgae

Traditional Chinese medicine is very effective in treating some special diseases, but we still need to understand it before taking it. Today we will talk about some common knowledge about the medicinal material Polyalgae.

[Other names] Water algae, water essence, gill grass, afternoon tail essence, algae, snapdragon, grass yarn, Xiao Erxian grass, dogtail grass, foxtail grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Myriophyllum spicatetum of the family Myriophyllum.

[Original form] Spike foxtail algae is a perennial submerged herb. The rhizome is creeping, with fibrous roots at the nodes. The stem is cylindrical, elongated, often branched, and varies in length depending on the depth of the water. The internodes are 3-4 cm long. Leaves are arranged in whorls of 4; sessile; dark green, oblong to lanceolate, 2-3 cm long, deeply pinnate, lobes are linear, dense, more than 13-20 pairs, alternate and nearly opposite. The spike inflorescence is terminal, 5-10cm long, standing upright on the water surface, and sinking in the water during the fruiting period; flowers are unisexual, 4 to many whorled, and male and female flowers are monoecious; male flowers are on the upper part, bracts are green, red at the edges, oblong, bracteoles are ovate, calyx tube is campanulate, 4 calyxes are ovate-triangular, 4 petals are red to green, boat-shaped and spoon-shaped, caducous, 8 stamens, light green or yellow-green, 2mm long; female flowers are on the lower part, calyx tube is almost truncate or with shallow teeth, petals are 4, ovate, obtuse at the apex, pink, caducous, ovary is inferior, 4-chambered, stigma is 4, pinnate, and reversed outward. The fruit is spherical, 1.5-3mm in diameter, and divided into 4 segments. Flowering period is from April to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows in ponds, lakes and ditches.

【Cultivation】 Biological Characteristics: Polyalgae is an aquatic plant that grows in swamps or ponds. Likes water and warm climate. The suitable temperature for growth is 25-30℃, and avoid drought. It is best to grow in a pond with a certain degree of fertility.

【Chemical composition】 Contains a large amount of dephytated chlorophyll (chlorophyllide).

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; Light; Cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat; cools blood and detoxifies. It is used for fever, thirst, dysentery, erysipelas, furuncle, and burns.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 15-30g of fresh product; or mash into juice. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash fresh product for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

I believe that friends who were not very clear about polyalgae at the beginning should now have mastered the relevant knowledge of polyalgae. I hope this article can be helpful to you.