The efficacy and function of unicorn lotus

We know that there are many kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, and unicorn lotus is one of them. In order for the unicorn lotus to play its role correctly and scientifically, it is necessary to master its consumption method, because different medicinal materials have their own unique nutrition and efficacy. Let’s study it below.

[Other names] Wild Pinellia (Jiangxi Folk Herbs), Plow Tip, Scissors Grass, Jade Ruyi, Wild Sagittaria, and Copy of One Red Grain (Quanzhou Materia Medica).

[Source] It is the whole herb of the Araceae plant, Polygonum multiflorum . Harvested from May to October.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The tuber is oval or ovate-elliptical, 2 to 4 cm in diameter, covered with small dark brown scales, and has 20 to 40 fibrous roots at the top of the tuber. The leaves are basal, 1 to 4 pieces, halberd-shaped and sagittate, of varying sizes, 9 to 45 cm long, 7 to 35 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, sagittate at the base, entire or slightly wavy, with parallel veins, and lateral veins connected to form a net when they extend to the edge; the petiole is cylindrical, fleshy, 15 to 45 cm long. The pedicels are 8-16 cm long, fleshy, green, often with purple thin longitudinal stripes; the spadix has an apex elongated into a purple rod-shaped appendage that does not extend beyond the spathe; the spathe is about 12-15 cm long and purple; the flowers are unisexual and monoecious, with the male inflorescence at the top and the female inflorescence at the bottom, with a flowerless zone in the middle, 5-8 mm apart, and with fleshy strip-like protrusions on it; there is no perianth; the male flowers have 1-3 stamens, the anthers are sessile, and the connective is slightly protruding; the female flowers have a 1-chambered ovary and a sessile stigma. The berries are about 1 cm long. Flowering period is from June to August. Fruiting period is from July to September.

[Habitat distribution] Grown in shady and moist places in mountains. Distributed in Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Jiangxi, Fujian and other places. It is cultivated in Liaoning, Jilin, Hubei, Jiangsu and other places.

[Pharmacological action] The injection of Unicornflower has a certain therapeutic effect in treating guinea pigs infected with human tuberculosis bacteria (H37RV). Its therapeutic effect is only inferior to that of streptomycin, and is significantly better than that of the control group. The effect increases with increasing dosage. Experiments on mice, dogs and guinea pigs showed that the toxicity is very low.

[Functions and indications] Treat snake bites, scrofula, and bruises.

【Usage and Dosage】 For external use: mash and apply.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat snake bites: Mix the whole fresh Herba Eupatorii with a little water, pound it into a paste and apply it to the wound.

[Remarks] The tuber of this plant (Yubaifu) is also used for medicinal purposes, which is detailed in a separate article.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above describes some ways to eat unicorn lotus. Although many medicinal herbs can be eaten, we must remind everyone that Chinese medicines generally cannot be taken indiscriminately and should be used according to your own situation.