The efficacy and function of Angtianlian

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

[Alias] Ghost cotton, Yangtian cup, water hemp, false hibiscus.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The root of the plant Antalya of the Sterculiaceae family.

[Original form] A shrub of the herbaceous plant, 1-4m high. Young branches densely stellately hairy. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 1-10cm long; stipules are linear, 5-10mm long, and fall off; leaf blade is cordate or ovate-cordate, sometimes 3-5 shallowly lobed, 10-22cm long, 9-10cm wide, with acute or acuminate apex, cordate or obliquely cordate base, glabrous or sparsely stellate pubescent above, densely covered with short hairs below; basal veins are 3-7, and veins are raised on both sides. The cyme has 1-3 flowers, with 5 sepals, lanceolate, united near the base, 15-18mm long, densely pubescent on both sides; 5 petals, reddish purple, spoon-shaped, up to 2.5cm long, acute or obtuse at the apex, depressed and hairy at the base, united with the base of the staminodes; 15 developed stamens, 3 of each gathered into a bundle, united at the base of the staminodes and alternate with the staminodes, 5 staminodes, nearly spoon-shaped, hairy on both sides; ovary oblong, about 1.5mm long, slightly hairy, 5-chambered, with 5 grooves, about 1.5mm long, style triangular-shaped tongue-shaped, about 1/2 the length of the ovary. The capsule is membranous, inverted conical, about 3-6cm in diameter, covered with stellate hairs, with 5 longitudinal wings, with long hairs on the edges, and truncated at the apex. Seeds are numerous, oblong, black, and about 2 mm long. Flowering period: spring and summer.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown on the edge of valleys or forests.

[Properties] Biological characteristics: It prefers warm climate, is slightly drought-resistant, and not cold-resistant. It is not very demanding on soil, but it is best to plant it in sunny, fertile and loose sandy loam.

[Chemical composition] The root bark contains maslinic acid, α-amyrin, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid, etc.

【Nature and flavor】 slightly bitter; pungent; neutral

【Functions and indications】Regulates menstruation and promotes blood circulation; reduces swelling and relieves pain. Mainly used for irregular menstruation, sores, boils, and injuries from falls

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or soak it in wine and apply it.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the Chinese medicinal herb Angtianlian. 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.