The efficacy and function of Feilian [picture]

Fei Lian [picture] is a very common Chinese medicine. Although it is very common, it has many magical effects. Let’s take a look at it below.

【Other names】 Thistle, thorn cap

[Source] They are Carduus crispus L. and C. acanthoides L., plants of the genus Carduus in the Asteraceae family. The whole plant or root is used as medicine. The whole herb is harvested when the flowers are in bloom in summer and autumn; the roots are dug up in spring and autumn, impurities are removed, and used fresh or dried.

[Original form] 1. Feilian (Laoniu Suo, Dali Wang): a biennial thorny herb, 50 to 120 cm tall. The taproot is thick, straight or oblique. The stem is erect, with longitudinal ridges and green, intermittent, triangular, thorn-like wings. Simple leaves are alternate, usually sessile, and clasping the stem; the lower leaves are elliptic-lanceolate, 5 to 20 cm long, deeply pinnately divided, with the lobes often opposite in size, with thorns on the edges, 3 to 10 mm long, green on the upper side, with fine hairs or almost smooth, and initially with spider-like hairs on the lower side, which gradually become smooth; the upper leaves gradually become smaller. It blooms in summer and autumn, with 2 to 3 head inflorescences clustered at the ends of branches, or solitary in leaf axils, relatively soft, often slightly drooping, with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm; the involucre is bell-shaped, with multiple layers of bracts, the outer layer gradually becoming shorter than the inner layer, the middle layer of bracts is linear-lanceolate, with a long pointed tip that is thorn-like and recurved outwards, the inner layer of bracts is linear, membranous, and slightly purple. The flowers are all tubular, purple-red, 15 to 16 mm long, with 5-lobed petals, hairy filaments, fused anthers, arrow-shaped or auricle-shaped base, and long tail fibers. The style is slender and the stigma is 2-lobed. Achenes are oblong, with white or grayish white pappus that are spiny.

【Cultivation】 Suitable for warm or cool climates, resistant to cold and drought. It is not very demanding on soil and can be planted in general soil. Seed propagation, sow in spring in March and April, in rows or holes, with a row spacing of 1.5×1 feet, sow 5 or 6 seeds in each hole, and cover with about 1 inch of soil. Seedlings will emerge about 10 days after sowing. After all the seedlings have emerged, they need to be thinned out once, and 1 to 2 strong seedlings can be left in each hole. Pay attention to drainage during the rainy season to prevent root rot. '

[Chemical composition] Acanthoidine dry grass contains alkaloids: some of the strong alkaline alkaloids have antihypertensive effects; among them are acanthoidine (C ₁₆ H ₂₄ O ₂ N ₄ ) and acanthoidine hydrochloride (C ₁₆ H ₂₂ O ₂ N ₄ ). In addition, it contains two weakly alkaline bioalkalis.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly bitter, neutral.

【Functions and indications】 Disperses blood stasis and stops bleeding, clears away heat and removes dampness. Used for hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, functional uterine bleeding, leukoplakia, chyluria, urinary tract infection; used externally to treat carbuncles and furuncles.

[Usage and Dosage] 3-5 qian; for external use, mash the fresh product and apply to the affected area.

[Additional prescription] Epistaxis, functional uterine bleeding, hematuria: 3 qian each of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Rubia cordifolia, and Radix Sanguisorbae, decocted in water and taken orally.

[Remarks] The tincture made from the fruit of Achyranthes bidentata has a choleretic effect, can cure jaundice, and is effective for mild biliary colic.

【Excerpt】 National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines

[Source] "Ben Jing"

Fei Lian [Picture] is a common Chinese medicinal material, but it is often forgotten by people. In fact, its effects and functions are beyond your imagination. As long as you are good at eating it and use the right method, I believe it will be of great help to your body.