The efficacy and function of red stem grass

Red stem grass is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. There are precedents of using red stem grass to treat diseases in ancient times, so we can eat it with confidence. Next, I will mainly introduce to you the effects of red stem grass.

[Other names] Ze Lan, red stalk grass, red cohosh, yellow flower, comfrey, big Ze Lan

【Source】 Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Eupatorium heterophyllum of the Asteraceae family.

[Original morphology] Eupatorium heterophyllum is a perennial herb, 1-2m tall. The stem is erect, cylindrical, covered with long hairs, with scattered fine red spots on the upper part and light brown or purple at the base. Leaves opposite, sometimes upper leaves alternate; leaf blade 3-lobed, rarely shallowly lobed or half-lobed, but leaves under inflorescence unlobed, lobes oblong, elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, pubescent and glandular on both sides, but hairs on the upper side are few and sparsely green, while hairs on the lower side are dense and pale white, with coarse serrations on the margins and short petioles; middle lobe is larger, 4-9cm long and 1.5-3.5cm wide, lateral lobes are shorter, petioles are shorter, about 1cm long; leaves under inflorescence are smaller, unlobed, ovate or lanceolate, sessile or with short petioles. The inflorescence head is arranged in umbels or compound umbels at the top of the stem or branches; the tips of the bracts are rounded and obtuse. Achenes with glandular dots; pappus as long as corolla. The flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on the edge or under shrub forests on hillsides, and in grass on hillsides.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The stem is cylindrical, 2-7mm in diameter, the lower part is woody, gray-brown, the upper tender stem is gray-light green, covered with short white hairs; it is brittle and easy to break. The leaves are mostly wrinkled and broken. When completely flattened, they are oval or lanceolate, with rounded serrations on the edges, dark green or gray-green, and yellow glandular dots and short white hairs on both sides. Slight odor, slightly bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; bitter; slightly warm

【Entry】 Enters the liver and kidney meridians

【Functions and indications】Promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation; remove blood stasis and relieve pain; remove dampness and promote diuresis. Mainly used for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, abdominal masses, abdominal pain, postpartum lochia retention, dribbling urination, edema, traumatic injury, and fracture

【Usage and Dosage】 Oral administration, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal herb red stem grass. For medicinal herbs that we don't understand, we should learn more about them so that we can make full use of them in our lives and not be at a loss.