The efficacy and function of dog spine

Do you know Cibotium barometz? It is a common Chinese medicinal material and is very helpful for some diseases. Let me show you today.

【English name】 Rhizoma Woodwardiae Japon1cae

[Other names] Guanzhong, Xiagongcao, fine-leaved Saxifraga

[Source] It is the rhizome and base of petiole of Woodwardia japonica (Lf.) Sm. of the Pteridaceae family. The rhizomes are dug up throughout the year, the above-ground parts are cut off and dried.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 65-90cm tall. The rhizome is short and thick, inclined, and densely covered with brown lanceolate scales. The leaves are clustered, with brown petioles, 30 to 50 cm long and covered with numerous scales; the leaf blades are thick, papery, rectangular, 25 to 80 cm long, 20 to 40 cm wide, and twice pinnately lobed, with small scales only on the lower part of the rachis, the lower pinnae are about 15 cm long, 2 to 3 cm wide, and the pinnae are lobed to 1/2 or slightly deeper; the lobes are triangular or triangular-rectangular, pointed at the apex, with slight serrations, the leaf veins are reticular, with 1 to 2 rows of meshes, the veins outside the meshes are separated, and there are no inner veins. The sori are long and grow on the reticulate veins symmetrically on both sides of the main vein; the sori cap is long kidney-shaped, with the reticulate veins attached to the outer side and opening towards the main vein.

[Habitat distribution] It grows in shady and moist places under sparse woods and beside streams. Produced in the south and southwest of the Yangtze River.

[Properties] The whole plant is oblong, straight or slightly curved, 6 to 26 cm long, 2 to 7 cm in diameter, and has a reddish brown or dark brown surface. The rhizome is thick and densely covered with short and thick petiole bases, with more brown-red scales near the top. The base of the petiole is nearly semi-cylindrical, sickle-shaped, rib-shaped on the back, swollen at the lower end, and often has a curved fibrous root; the texture is hard, and 2 to 4 vascular bundles can be seen in the cross section, the inner pair is larger, arranged in an eight-shaped or slightly curved into a hyperbolic shape. The smell is faint and unique, and the taste is slightly bitter.

【Chemical composition】 Contains catechol derivatives.

【Nature and flavor】 Cool in nature, bitter in taste.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, detoxifies, kills insects and relieves blood stasis. Used for colds, sores, carbuncles, swellings, abdominal pain caused by worms, bloody stools, and uterine bleeding.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] Cibotium barometz was first recorded in Ben Jing and listed as a medium-grade product. The "Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica" says: "It grows in the valleys of Changshan, now Taihang Mountain, and is also found in Zibo, Wen and Meizhou. The roots are black, three or four inches long, about the size of two fingers, the tip of the seedling is fine and green, and it is about one foot tall. It has no flowers. Its stems and leaves are like those of a thorn tree but thinner, and its roots are long and branched, like dog spine, hence the name. The flesh is green, and the roots are collected in spring and autumn and dried for use." Four pictures of dog spine in Chengdejun, Wenzhou, Meizhou and Zibo are attached. The characteristics of the “Chengde Army Dog’s spine” map are similar to the dog’s spine fern Woodwardia japonica (Lf) Smith; the characteristics of the “Meizhou Dog’s spine” map are similar to the single bud dog

From the above explanation, we have some understanding of the effects and functions of Cibotium barometz. If there are any symptoms of discomfort in the body, you can use Chinese medicine to regulate it. Chinese medicine has a long history of treating diseases, so you can eat it with confidence.