The efficacy and function of Blumea balsamina

For many Chinese people, traditional Chinese medicine is very trustworthy because it has a long history and few side effects. Blumea balsamifera is a common Chinese medicinal material, which has many benefits for human health. So how can we eat Blumea balsamifera? Let’s learn about it below.

[Alias] Big wind mugwort, cow ear mugwort, big wind leaf, purple maple (Essentials of Raw Medicinal Herbs), Zaifeng mugwort (Records of Medicinal Herbs Collection in Lingnan), big mugwort, big maple grass (Chinese Tree Taxonomy), big bone wind (Nanning City Pharmacopoeia), big yellow grass (Chinese Materia Medica), big hairy medicine (Guizhou Plant Medicinal Survey), borneol mugwort (Guangzhou Army's Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines).

[Source] The leaves and young branches of Artemisia balsamifera of the Asteraceae family. It can be harvested throughout the year, but the quality is better in autumn. Dry after harvesting.

[Original form] Perennial woody herb, 1 to 3 meters high, densely covered with yellow velvet or silky hairs, with a borneol aroma when crushed. Leaves are alternate; leaf blades are elliptical or oblong-lanceolate, 10 to 17 cm long, 1.2 to 2.5 cm wide, with pointed apex, narrow base, extending downward in a petiole shape, or nearly deeply fissured, with irregular serrations on the edges, and densely covered with pubescence on both sides. The head inflorescence is terminal and corymbose; there are several whorls of bracts, the outer whorls are shorter than the inner whorls; the tubular flowers are yellow, heteromorphic, the margins are female, the disk flowers are bisexual, and the apex is 5-lobed; the polyanthemum stamens are 5; the pistil is 1, the ovary is inferior, and the stigma is 2-lobed and linear. Achenes have 10 ribs and pale white pappus. Flowering period is from March to May. The fruiting period is from September to October.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in hillside grasslands or bushes. Distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places. It is cultivated in Guangxi and Guizhou.

[Properties] The dry leaves are slightly wrinkled or broken, with fine serrations on the edges. The upper side is gray-green, slightly rough, and covered with short hairs, and the lower side is densely covered with long white silky hairs. Both sides of the young leaves are densely covered with long silver silky hairs. The veins are yellow and more prominent on the lower side. The petiole is semicircular and densely covered with short hairs. The leaves are brittle and break easily.

[Pharmacological Action] Injection of its extract into animals can cause a decrease in blood pressure, vasodilation, and inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. It can be used for patients with excitement, insomnia or hypertension. There are also reports that its infusion can be a diuretic, but its effect is weaker than that of tea infusion. Its volatile oil can be used to make borneol, see the entry for "borneol".

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, bitter, warm.

【Functions and indications】Warms the middle and promotes blood circulation, dispels wind and dampness, and kills insects. Treat cold and damp diarrhea, abdominal pain, intestinal rumbling, swelling, pain in muscles and bones, bruises, and ringworms.

【Usage and Dosage】 For oral use. Decoction, 3 to 6 qian. For external use: decoct in water for washing or grind into powder for application.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat swelling and rheumatoid arthritis: Artemisia selengensis, castor leaves, and Acorus calamus. Wash with boiled water. (Guangdong Traditional Chinese Medicine)

[Remarks] The roots (Artemisia argyi roots) and processed leaves (Artemisia argyi tablets) of this plant are also used for medicinal purposes, please refer to the separate articles for details.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From 1. "Kaibao Materia Medica".

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Blumea balsamina. Blumea balsamina has a great effect and is very beneficial to the human body. Therefore, everyone can choose Blumea balsamina according to their physical condition, but it should still be done under the doctor's advice.