The efficacy and function of Guanyin grass

Guanyin grass is a medicinal herb, also known as small green grass, fragrant perilla and red eye, etc. It grows in many areas of my country, and most of them are wild. The roots and grass of Guanyincao can be used as medicine, and have very good effects on relieving pain and removing blood stasis. Therefore, they are often used to treat dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation in women. However, it should be noted that Guanyincao is not suitable for people with qi and blood deficiency and spleen and stomach deficiency, otherwise it may aggravate the condition.

1. Morphological characteristics of Guanyin grass

Perennial, erect herb, up to 1 meter high; branches numerous, alternate and opposite, with 5-6 obtuse edges and the same number of longitudinal grooves, branchlets covered with brown-red soft hairs, old branches with light brown lenticels. Leaves ovate or sometimes lanceolate-ovate, with short acuminate to acute apex, broad cuneate or nearly rounded base, entire margin, 3-5(7.5) cm long, 1.5-2(3) cm wide, papery, black-purple when dry, young leaves covered with brown-red soft hairs on both sides, gradually becoming glabrous on old leaves; lateral veins 5-6 on each side; petiole about 5 mm long. The inflorescence is composed of 2 or 3 capitulums, axillary or terminal; the peduncle is 3-5 mm long and later pubescent; the involucral bracts are 2-4, broadly ovate, ovate or elliptic, unequal in size, the large ones are (1.8)-2.3-2.5 cm long, 8-15 mm wide, the small ones are 2-3 cm, with acute apex, cuneate base, black purple or slightly transparent when dry, with veins, and pubescent; the calyx is small, 4.5-5 mm long, with lanceolate lobes, pubescent; the corolla is pink, 3-3.5(-5) cm long, pubescent with short inverted pubescence, the crown tube is straight, about 1.5 mm wide, the throat is slightly inward-curved, the upper lip is broadly ovate-elliptic, slightly emarginate at the apex, the lower lip is oblong, shallowly 3-lobed; the stamens are extended, the filaments are pubescent, the anther locules are linear, and the lower locule is smaller; the style is glabrous, and the stigma is 2-lobed. Capsule not seen, (according to literature) about 1.5 cm long, covered with soft hairs. Flowering period: winter and spring.

2. The efficacy and function of Guanyin grass

Salty, spicy, cold.

① "Ben Jing": salty, cold.

② "Bielu": non-toxic.

③ "Compendium of Materia Medica": slightly spicy. Meridians

Medicinal functions: rheumatic joint pain, infantile convulsions.

Medicinal indications: snake bites, infantile convulsions, stomatitis, furuncle, carbuncle, urinary tract infection, otitis media, rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Usage and dosage of Guanyincao

For internal use: decoction, 10-15g, fresh product 30-60g; or mash into juice; or grind into powder.

For external use: take appropriate amount of fresh product, mash it and apply it on the affected area; or boil it in water for washing.

4. Taboos on eating Guanyin grass

① "Bencao Huiyan": Excessive intake can also suppress the spleen.

② "Mindong Materia Medica": It is not suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, and deficiency of both qi and blood.