The efficacy and function of the stem of Catalpa striata

The stem of the Chinese wolfberry tree is a medicinal material that can treat many diseases. If consumed scientifically and healthily, it can bring great benefits to our physical health and disease treatment. Now let’s take a closer look at the effects and eating methods of the stems of the Chinese wolfberry.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the stems and branches of the Araliaceae plant.

[Original form] Large deciduous tree, about 10m high, up to 30m tall, with a chest circumference of over 70cm. The bark is dark gray-brown, the twigs are cylindrical, light yellow-brown or gray-brown, with drum-shaped prickles, the thorns are 5-6mm long and 6-7mm wide at the base. The leaves are alternate on long branches and clustered on short branches. The leaves are slender, 8-50cm long, and glabrous; the leaves are nearly circular or oblate, with 5-7 shallow palmate lobes, the lobes are triangular ovate to oblong-ovate, less than 1/2 of the whole leaf blade, and the leaves on strong branches are deeply divided, with lobes longer than 1/2 of the whole leaf blade; the apex is gradually pointed, the base is cordate, the edge has fine serrations, the upper side is dark green and glabrous, the lower side is light green, with only light brown soft hairs on the veins or glabrous except for the vein axils at the base. The umbels are clustered into terminal panicles, 15-25cm long and 20-30cm in diameter; the umbels are 1-2.5cm in diameter and have several flowers; the calyx is glabrous and has 5 teeth on the edge; the petals are 5, triangular-ovate, about 1.5mm long, white or light yellow-green; the stamens are 5, about 2.5mm long, incurved, and the filaments are more than 1 times longer than the petals; the ovary is inferior and 2-chambered; the disk is raised, with 2 styles, connate into a column, and the stigmas are free. The drupe is nearly spherical, blue-black when ripe, and about 5mm in diameter; the persistent style is about 2mm long. Seeds 2, flat. The flowering period is from July to October, and the fruiting period is from September to December.

[Properties] Property identification: The branches are cylindrical, 10-20cm long and 1cm in diameter. The surface is gray to gray-brown, with yellow-brown dot-shaped lenticels and light brown horn-like spines. The spines are sharp, laterally flattened, flat and wide at the base, oblong in shape, and slightly shiny. The texture is hard, the wood is fibrous or flaky in cross section, and the white pith is visible in the center. Slight odor, light taste.

[Chemical composition] The stem contains kalopanaxsaponin I and II.

[Processing] Take the original medicinal materials, remove impurities, scrape off the thorns, moisten thoroughly, cut into thin slices, and dry. Properties of the medicinal slices: They are round-shaped thin slices with very thin epidermis and phloem on the cut surface, and a white and soft pith in the center. The pith of young stems is broad, and the xylem is narrow; the pith of old stems is smaller, and the xylem is broad. They are light in texture, have a slight odor, and taste slightly bitter and pungent. Store in a dry container in a ventilated and dry place.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness; promote blood circulation and relieve pain. Mainly used for rheumatic pain and stomach pain

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and wash with decoction.

【Note】 Pregnant women should take with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

After understanding some of the effects and common knowledge of the stems of the Chinese wolfberry, I hope that everyone will use scientific methods when eating it to make it play a greater role.