The efficacy and function of Hehecao

Hehecao is a medicinal herb. If we have some understanding of its medicinal value, we can use Hehecao correctly to treat some related diseases in life. Let’s take a look at it below.

[Alias] Sambucus serrata, Sambucus serrata, Sambucus serrata, Sambucus serrata, and Sambucus serrata.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Polygala tenuifolia.

[Original form] Artemisia selengensis is an annual upright herb, 10-40cm tall. The taproot is thicker, orange-yellow in color, and has fewer fibrous roots. The stem is relatively thick, cylindrical, and covered with white, flat, long hairs. Leaves are nearly opposite; almost sessile; papery, broadly ovate to oblong-elliptic, 1.5-3cm long, 1-2cm wide, obtuse at apex with a short tip, rounded to cordate at base, entire, ciliate, and pubescent on both sides. Flowers bisexual, racemes axillary, about 0.5-1cm long, axis pubescent; flowers about 5mm long, short-stalked, base with 3 awl-shaped bracts, falling off or sometimes persistent; sepals 5, outer 3 small, unequal in size, 2-3mm long, inner 2 large, green, sickle-shaped oblique ovate, up to 5mm long, about 2.5mm wide, clawed at base, 5-veined, ciliate; petals 3, white or yellow, lateral petals about 4mm long, less than 1/4 connate with keel, middle inner side with: bundles of white pubescent, apex back with 1 stalked fringed cockscomb appendage, about 2mm long; stamens 8, 4mm long, less than 1/2 connate into sheath, and adnate to petals, filaments filiform, anthers elliptic; ovary obovate, base with disk, narrowly winged, ciliate, especially at the top more dense and long, style slightly curved, horseshoe-shaped at top, stigma embedded in it. The capsule is slightly square-round, about 4mm in diameter, green-yellow, notched at the tip, covered with white pubescence, winged, and ciliate. The seeds are ovate-elliptical, laterally flattened, gray-black, about 1.5 mm in diameter, and covered with white soft hairs. Flowering and fruiting period is from August to November.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in riverside grass at an altitude of 560-1400m.

[Properties] Identification by properties: The main root of this product is relatively thick, orange-yellow, with fewer fibrous roots, and the stem is relatively thick, cylindrical, and covered with long soft hairs. The leaves are nearly opposite, papery, and mostly wrinkled. The complete leaves are broadly ovate to oblong-elliptical, 1.5-3cm long, 1-2cm wide, obtuse at the apex with a short tip, rounded to cordate at the base, entire, ciliate, and pubescent on both sides. The main vein is slightly concave on the upper surface and slightly raised on the back, and is pubescent. There are 3-4 lateral veins, which are not obvious on the upper surface, slightly raised on the back, and have no fine veins. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; slightly spicy; cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; disperses blood stasis and stops bleeding. Mainly used for colds and fevers; sore throats; carbuncles and ulcers; injuries from falls; fractures; and bleeding from trauma

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-10g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or grind it into powder and apply.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The medicinal value of Hehecao introduced in the article is of great help to our lives. In fact, many physical illnesses can be treated with some Chinese medicinal materials such as Hehecao. The profound Chinese medicine culture should continue to be passed on.