The efficacy and function of Dongfeng grass

I don’t know if you are familiar with Dongfengcao and whether you understand its effects and functions. Let’s analyze in detail the value and eating methods of Dongfengcao.

[Other names] Jiuliming, Jiuliguang, Senecio, Senecio pubescens, Yellow-flowered Groundsel, Big-headed Artemisia selengensis

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Dongfengcao, a plant of the Asteraceae family.

[Original form] Dongfengcao, a climbing herbaceous vine or woody at the base, 1-3m long or longer. The stem is cylindrical, much branched, with obvious grooves, sparse hairs or falling off later, internodes are 6-12cm long, and internodes of twigs are 2-4cm long. The lower and middle leaves have a 2-5mm petiole; the leaf blade is ovate, ovate-oblong or oblong, 7-10cm long, 2.5-4cm wide, with a short pointed apex, a rounded base, sparsely serrated or dotted edges, sparsely hairy above or falling off later, shiny, often turning light black after drying, glabrous or more or less sparsely hairy below; the midrib is obvious above, raised below, with 5-7 pairs of lateral veins. The leaves on the upper part of the twigs are smaller, elliptical or ovate-oblong, 2-5cm long, 1-1.5cm wide, with short petioles and fine teeth on the edges. The capitula are sparse, usually 1-7 in number, arranged in racemes or nearly corymbose inflorescences at the tops of axillary branchlets, and then arranged in large panicles with leaves, with stalks 1-3 cm long; the involucre is hemispherical; the involucral bracts are 5-6 layers, the outer layer is often curved at the base, densely hairy on the back, the middle layer has slightly pointed tips, hairy on the ridges of the back, with marginal hairs, and the inner layer is 3 times longer than the outermost layer; the receptacle is flat, densely covered with white long soft hairs; the flowers are yellow, the female flowers are numerous, tubular, with 2-4 teeth on the eaves; the corolla of bisexual flowers is tubular, covered with white multicellular hairs, and with 5 teeth on the eaves. Achenes are cylindrical, with 10 ribs and sparsely hairy; pappus is white and rough. Flowering period is from August to December.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows in forest edges, thickets, hillsides, hills, etc.

[Properties] Identification of properties: the stem surface is light brown and almost hairless. Leaves are mostly wrinkled and broken. The complete leaf blade is elliptical or ovate-elliptical, 7-10cm long, 2.5-4cm wide, with a pointed apex, a cuneate or rounded base, light brown, rough and glabrous above, slightly hairy or nearly hairless below, with small teeth on the margin, and very obvious reticulate veins. The petiole is 2-5mm long and pubescent. Some still have flower heads remaining. It has a faint smell and a slightly bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; slightly spicy; cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and improves eyesight; dispels wind and relieves itching; detoxifies and reduces swelling. It is mainly used for red, swollen and painful eyes; opacity covering the eyes; rubella; scabies; itchy skin; carbuncle, sore and furuncle; redness and swelling caused by falls

【Usage and Dosage】 Decoction: decoction, 10-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; or mash and apply on the affected area.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the above introduction, I found that Dongfengcao has so many pharmacological effects, and it also has good effects on some diseases. In fact, there may be many "treasures" around our lives, but most of the time we don’t have a heart that is good at discovering them.