The efficacy and function of Elsholtzia calendula

Many people choose Elsholtzia cava because of its high-value pharmacological effects, but be careful not to eat it casually, otherwise it will have some bad effects on the body. We need to understand it before eating it. Are you ready?

【English Name】 Eriostachys Elsholtzia

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Elsholtzia pubescens, a plant of the Lamiaceae family.

[Original form] Annual herb, 15-37cm high. Stem erect, unbranched or branched, quadrangular, pubescent. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 1.5-9mm long and pubescent; leaf blades are oblong or ovate-oblong, 0.8-4cm long, 4-15mm wide, slightly obtuse at the tip, cuneate-rounded at the base, with fine serrations or serrated crenates on the margins, and pubescent on both sides. The cymes are densely packed into pseudospikes, 1.5-5cm long; the bracts are broadly ovate, 1.5mm long, with a small spike at the apex, sparsely pubescent on the outside, ciliate on the margins, and imbricately arranged; the calyx is bell-shaped, about 1.2mm long, densely beaded with long soft hairs on the outside, with 5 calyx teeth, triangular, ciliate, and when fruiting the calyx grows into a cylindrical shape, about 4mm long; the corolla is yellow, about 2mm long, hairy on the outside, with ciliate on the margins, the upper lip is erect, slightly emarginate at the apex, the lower lip is 3-lobed, and the middle lobe is larger; there are 4 stamens, the front pair is slightly shorter, ingrown, the filaments are glabrous, and the anthers are ovate; the ovary is 4-lobed, the style is ingrown, and the stigma is 2-lobed. The nutlets are oval, 1.4mm long, brown, and bloom from July to August, and the fruiting period is from August to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in hillside grasslands, shrubs, river valley sands or high mountain rock slopes at an altitude of 3500-4100m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The stem is square columnar, 15-40cm long, often branched from the base, purple-red on the surface, covered with short soft hairs; brittle. The leaves are mostly curled and wrinkled, and when flattened they are oblong or ovate-oblong, 0.8-4cm long, 0.3-1.5cm wide, yellow-green on the surface, and covered with soft hairs; the petioles are 0.1-1cm long and densely covered with soft hairs. There is often a pseudospike at the top, with yellow-brown flowers. It has a light fragrance and a spicy and cool taste.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains a variety of flavonoids, lignans, organic acids, sterols and volatile oils.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; slightly warm

【Functions and indications】Dehumidifies and strengthens the stomach; kills insects and relieves itching. It is used to treat dampness stagnation, fullness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, worm accumulation, scabies, itching, vaginal trichomoniasis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3-9g; or grind into powder. For external use: take appropriate amount, mash it and apply on the affected area; or grind it into powder and mix it for application; or boil it in water and use it for washing.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Atlas of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Medicinal Materials": Whole plant: spicy, astringent, warm in nature, non-toxic. It has the function of strengthening the stomach. External treatment of skin itching.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Regarding the yellow flowered Elsholtzia introduced in the article, I hope everyone can learn more about the relevant information in daily life, so that they can correctly treat the disease when facing the troubles of the disease.