The efficacy and function of Stachys glabra

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb Stachys glabra?

[Other names] Wangjiangqing, Tianzhima (Li's Herbal Secret), Baimalan, Mud Juncus, Yedican, Baigencao (Zhejiang Folk Commonly Used Herbs).

[Source] It is the root or whole herb of Stachys glabra, a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Harvested from spring to early winter.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 20 to 80 cm tall. The lower part has creeping roots; the stem is square and has hairs on the nodes. Leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, 4-10.5 cm long, 0.7-3 cm wide, acute at apex, nearly rounded or cordate at base, serrated at margin, glabrous on both sides; petiole 3-17 mm long. The flower whorl has 6 to many flowers, which are axillary and organized into discontinuous spike-shaped racemes, or terminal at the branches, with a rachis 5-12 cm long; bracts are small, lanceolate; calyx is campanulate, 7.2 mm long, glabrous or pubescent on the outside, with 10 veins and 5 teeth, with needle tips at the ends of the teeth and cilia on the edges, 3 teeth on the upper lip and 2 teeth on the lower lip; corolla is light pink or lavender, 14.5 mm long, the upper lip is obovate, pubescent on the outside, entire, and the lower lip is 3-lobed; stamens are 4, 2 strong; style has 2 lobes at the top, which are shorter than stamens. The nutlets are obovate, 1.8 mm long, black and smooth. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from May to July.

[Habitat distribution] Grown in moist field grass or beside ditches. Distributed in Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and other places.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains caffeic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid, as well as three flavonoids: 7-methoxybaicalin, stachysin and stachysin. It also contains saponins.

[Nature and flavor] "Wenling County Drug Resource List": "slightly sweet, neutral in nature."

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and resolves phlegm, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Treat wind-heat cough, sore throat, whooping cough, dysentery, and herpes zoster.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5 to 1 liang. For external use: mash the juice and apply.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat whooping cough: add 50 cents to 1 ounce of Stachys glabra, appropriate amount of rock sugar or white sugar, decocted in water and taken orally.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the detailed introduction of Stachys glabra in this article, we can learn about the related effects and eating methods of Stachys glabra. The value of Stachys glabra can be seen from its efficacy, which fully reflects the importance of Stachys glabra.