The efficacy and function of Southern Yunnan Senecio

Senecio yunnanensis is a famous traditional Chinese medicinal material with a long history of application. Today we will learn about the Yunnan Senecio.

【English name】 all-grass of Ho Groundsel

[Other name] Loose tendon vine

[Source] Medicinal material source: The vine stem of Senecio yunnanensis of the Asteraceae family.

[Original form] Yunnan Senecio is a climbing vine, up to 3m long or longer. The stem is woody, recurved, up to 8 mm in diameter, striated, pubescent, and alternate; with a recurved long petiole, up to 6 cm long; the leaf blade is cordate, up to 12 cm long and 10 cm wide, with a cordate base, sometimes slightly halberd-shaped, a pointed tip, with sharp sand, wavy shallow teeth on the margin, and 5 palmate veins arcing toward the tip, nearly glabrous or with rough hairs above, and pubescent along the veins below; the upper leaves gradually become smaller. Inflorescence capitula, numerous, arranged in axillary compound cymes; with slender stalks and linear bracts; involucre tubular, about 7mm long, about 4mm in diameter, covered with pubescence; involucre bracts about 8, linear, pointed at the apex, with membranous edges; flowers tubular, about 8, corolla about twice as long as the involucre, yellow. Achenes are cylindrical and about 4mm long; pappus is white and about 8mm long. The flowering period is from October to January of the following year.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows under sparse forests and in thickets.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; slightly bitter; slightly warm

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness; relax muscles and tendons and dredge meridians. It is mainly used for rheumatic pain, joint flexion and extension problems, sequelae of poliomyelitis, and traumatic injuries.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-10g, large dose can be up to 30g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The above-ground part, vine stem: spicy, slightly bitter, slightly warm in nature. It has the functions of relaxing muscles and tendons, dispelling wind and dampness. Used for rheumatic pain, tendon contracture, and sequelae of polio.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Although the Yunnan Senecio has many magical effects, it cannot be eaten casually. We need to use the medicine according to the user's own situation. I hope everyone will not take it indiscriminately to avoid unnecessary consequences.