The efficacy and function of the flower of Hylocereus chinensis

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 called Orchidaceae?

[Other names] Overlord flower, sword flower, Weituo flower, Tianchi flower, dragon bone flower, seven-star sword flower

[Source] Medicinal material source: The flower of the Cactaceae plant.

[Original form] Perennial climbing plant. With aerial roots. The stem is irregularly branched, dark green, thick, fleshy, about 7m long or longer, 10-12cm wide, with 3 ribs, wavy edges, and more or less hard horny when old; there are small nests on the edges, with a spacing of 4-5cm between the nests, and degenerate leaves in the nests, which are small brown thorns, usually 1-3 pieces, and the thorns are 2-4mm long. The flowers are large, solitary, radially symmetrical, open at night, and 20-30 cm long; the calyx is petal-shaped, yellow-green, sometimes lavender, with lanceolate lobes that curl outward, and large scales on the outside of the calyx tube, without thorns, and the axils of the scales are bare and hairless; the petals are pure white and erect; the stamens are numerous, milky white, and the same length as or shorter than the style; the style is thick, and the stigma lobes are milky white. The berries are oblong, about 10 cm long, red, fleshy, scaly, and nearly smooth when ripe. The seeds are small and black. The flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: In Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi and other regions, it can be cultivated in gardens or near villages, often climbing on tree trunks, waste walls or rocks; in other regions, it is mostly cultivated in greenhouses. Its stems are often used as grafted rootstocks for various cacti.

[Properties] Identification of properties: When the flower is cut longitudinally, it is in the shape of irregular long strips, 15-17cm long. Sepals are brown to yellowish brown, the lower part of the calyx tube is slender, twisted, and covered with wrinkled scales; petals are in several whorls, brown or yellowish brown, narrow and lanceolate, with longitudinal veins; stamens are numerous. Slight odor, slightly sweet taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; slightly cold

【Meridian】 Lung meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears heat and moistens the lungs; relieves cough and resolves phlegm; detoxifies and reduces swelling. Mainly used for lung heat cough; tuberculosis; scrofula; mumps

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: Take appropriate amount of fresh product and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above we introduced the flower of Hylocereus orchid and its characteristics. We can know that the flower of Hylocereus orchid has very good efficacy and function, and it has played a role in the treatment and auxiliary treatment of many diseases. I hope this will be helpful to everyone’s health.