The efficacy and function of five-lobed maple

When it comes to the five-lobed maple, we are all familiar with it. The five-lobed maple is not only edible but also has very high medicinal effects. Eating the five-lobed maple regularly can have very good health-preserving and health-care effects.

[Source] Medicinal material source: branches and leaves of Acer quinquefolium, a plant of the Aceraceae family.

[Original form] Acer quinquefolia is a small deciduous tree, 4-7m tall. The bark is smooth and often covered with wax powder; the twigs are thin, the current year's branches are purple-green, and the perennial old branches are light brown-green; the scales of the winter buds are almost hairless. Simple leaves are opposite; petiole is 2-2.5cm long, with short soft hairs near the top; leaves are papery, 4-8cm long, 5-9cm wide, base is nearly cordate or truncated, 5-lobed, lobes are triangular ovate or oblong ovate, with sharp tip and dense serrations on the edge, lobes are 1/3 or 1/2 deep of the leaf blade, dark green above, light green below, with clusters in the vein axils; basal veins are pentatone. The flowers are polygamous, with male and bisexual flowers on the same plant, in umbels, and flowering and leaf growth occur simultaneously; there are 5 sepals, purple-green; 5 petals, pale white; 8 stamens, those in male flowers are slightly longer than the petals, and the stamens in female flowers are very short; the disk is slightly fissured, located on the outside of the stamens; the style is 2-lobed, and the stigma is recurved. The infructescence is often drooping; the nutlets are raised with prominent veins; the wings are lavender when young, yellow-brown when ripe, sickle-shaped, 3-3.5cm long including the nutlets, up to 1cm wide, and open nearly horizontally. The flowering period is May and the fruiting period is September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in forest edge or sparse forest at an altitude of 1500-2000m.

【Nature and flavor】 Pungent; bitter; cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; regulates qi and relieves pain. Mainly used for back carbuncle, carbuncle, abdominal pain caused by qi stagnation

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-30g. For external use: take appropriate amount and wash with decoction.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction of the Chinese medicinal herb Acer quinquefolius in the above article, we can clearly see that the Chinese medicinal herb Acer quinquefolius has many effects and functions. Therefore, in the future, everyone might as well learn more about Chinese medicines such as Acer truncatum in their daily lives.