What is Bletilla striata?

Bletilla striata is a Chinese herbal medicine, also known as purple orchid. The place where it grows is quite special, and it can often be seen on stone walls and in mosses. In southern my country, Bletilla striata can be seen in many places with mountain springs, especially in the Yangtze River basin where it is widely distributed. It not only plays the role of traditional Chinese medicine, but also has certain garden value. So, what is Bletilla striata?

Bletilla striata is an astringent and hemostatic drug. The dried tuber of Bletilla striata is a commonly used Chinese medicine. It has the effects of astringency, hemostasis, swelling reduction and tissue regeneration. It is used to treat coughing up blood, bleeding from trauma, swelling and pus in sores, chapped skin, coughing up blood due to tuberculosis, and bleeding from ulcer disease. The flowering period is spring, but depending on the different climates in different places, it may bloom from late winter to early summer. The flowers come in purple, white, blue, yellow and pink. They can be planted in pots for indoor viewing, or they can be decorated in shady flower beds, flower borders or corners of the courtyard.

What are the effects of Bletilla striata?

1. Hemostatic effect: Bletilla striata has a hemostatic effect. It can enhance the activity of platelet factor III, significantly shorten the coagulation time and prothrombin formation time, inhibit the activity of plasmin, and has a good therapeutic effect on local bleeding.

2. Whitening and freckle removal: Bletilla striata has the effect of whitening and freckle removal. Many whitening and freckle removal products on the market contain Bletilla striata ingredients. You can also mix white Poria powder, Angelica dahurica powder and Bletilla striata powder to make a facial mask for whitening and freckle removal.

3. Healing sores and moisturizing the skin: The white hyacinth gum contained in Bletilla striata has excellent astringent and hemostatic effects. It can also effectively improve local blood circulation, thereby promoting epithelial cell repair, heal sores, stop bleeding, moisturize the skin and promote tissue regeneration.

4. Slow down aging: Bletilla striata contains a polysaccharide that has a significant ability to scavenge free radicals in the body. As the concentration of the polysaccharide increases, its scavenging effect gradually increases, and the activity of Bletilla striata in scavenging free radicals is higher than that of vitamin E1.

5. Detumescence and antibacterial: Bletilla striata has the effect of detumescence and antibacterial. It is often used for the initial stage of sores and chapped hands and feet. It has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its water extract has inhibitory effects on Microsporum audouinii.