The efficacy and function of Ardisia undulata

Many people know that Ardisia undulata has unique therapeutic effects on some diseases. In fact, the magical effects of Ardisia undulata are far more than that. The following will tell you in detail about the effects of Ardisia undulata.

[Other names] small umbrella, thousand-year-old umbrella, short-legged umbrella, small umbrella, forest-free, small tea, small lion head, iron umbrella

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole plant of the Myrsinaceae family.

[Original form] Small shrub, up to 35cm tall. Sometimes with stolons; young parts densely covered with rusty fine hairs, with almost no branches except for the special lateral flower branches. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 2-5mm long; leaf blade is hard, papery or thin, elliptic-ovate to oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse or acute at apex, cuneate at base, 1.5-3.5cm long, 1-1.5cm wide, with shallow wavy teeth or nearly round teeth on margin, with glandular dots or unclear glandular dots between teeth, only slightly concave midrib with glandular pubescence on leaf surface; 4-5 pairs of lateral veins, not connected to form marginal veins. Umbel, borne at the top of lateral special flower branches, often with 2-3 reduced leaves near the top, rusty and pubescent; flowers bisexual, 5-merous; pedicels about 8mm long, rusty and pubescent, flowers about 4mm long; calyx base fused for 1/3 of the total length, about 1mm long, sepals ovate, fused part pubescent, with glandular dots, sometimes with cilia; petals light pink, ovate, about 4mm long, with sparse glandular dots, slightly pubescent or glabrous inside, stamens slightly shorter than petals, anther lanceolate, with glandular dots on the back; pistil nearly as long as petals, ovary with sparse glandular dots. The fruit is spherical, about 7mm in diameter, and red. The flowering period is from May to July, and the fruiting period is from October to December or January of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in limestone forests at an altitude of 100-600m, in the shade and wet places beside streams and roadsides.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The rhizome is cylindrical with fine roots; the stem is nearly cylindrical, 25-35cm long, 1-1.5mm in diameter, light brown on the surface, glabrous or with fine hairs on the upper end. The leaves are mostly curled, and when flattened, they are oval, with a pointed tip and rounded edges. There are 4-6 lateral veins on each side. The leaf surface is light brown, with sparse purple-black glandular dots on the underside. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Pungent; Neutral

【Functions and indications】Relieves sore throat and cough; regulates qi and promotes blood circulation. Sore throat, cough, epigastric pain, and pain from falls and blood stasis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 15-30g; or grind into powder. For external use: take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply on skin.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The effects and functions of Ardisia undulata are varied, and we should choose the appropriate method of consumption according to different physical symptoms. In life, we can learn more about this when we have free time.