The efficacy and function of the ladder

What are the functions of Shangtianti? As a traditional Chinese medicine, Shangtianti can not only be used to treat diseases, but also can be combined with some other medicinal materials to make medicinal food, which has a very good effect on regulating the human body. Today we will introduce you to the ladder.

[Other names] Dingfengjin, copper chopsticks, lampstand seven, seven-leaf flower

[Source] Medicinal material source: The rhizome of Paris polyphylla of the Liliaceae family.

[Original form] Paris polyphylla is a perennial upright herb, 25-60cm tall. The rhizome is slender, 3-5mm in diameter. Stems greenish-white, sometimes purplish. There are 6-8 leaves in whorls, with short petioles or nearly sessile; the leaf blades are needle-shaped, narrowly oblong, oblanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, 7-15cm long, 1.5-3.5cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex and cuneate at the base. Flowers solitary in the center of the leaf whorl; flower stalks 4.5-12cm long; outer perianth usually 4-5, leaf-like, obovate-lanceolate, oblong-acicular or inverted, 2-3.5cm long, 1-3cm wide, apex acuminate, base rounded or broadly cuneate, green, rarely purple, papery, flat; inner perianth segments linear, 1-2cm long, yellow-green; stamens usually 8, filament base slightly flattened, 5-7mm long, anther about 1cm long, connective protrusion 6-8mm long; ovary nearly spherical, purple-brown, apex without disc-shaped stylopodium, style with 4-5 branches, branches slender, recurved outwards. The capsule is berry-like, indehiscent, about 1 cm in diameter, and contains several seeds. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from July to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown under forests on hillsides, in grass, shady wetlands or by ditches.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The dried rhizome is cylindrical, slightly flat, slightly curved, 5-10 cm long, about 3 mm in diameter, brown-yellow in surface, with longitudinal wrinkles and nodes, and membranous scale leaves, fibrous roots or root scars remain on the nodes. It is hard and brittle, easy to break, with a relatively flat cross section, white to light yellow, and powdery. It has no smell, and tastes slightly sweet and then numbing.

【Chemical composition】 The whole plant contains phytosterols: phytosteryl-(6′-palmitoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, phytosteryl-β-D-glucopyranoside; phytoecdysones: ecdysone (α-ecdysone), ecdysterone (β-ecdysone), ajugasterone; steroidal glycosides: pennogenin tetraglycoside, the structure of which is pennogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; cold; slightly toxic

【Functions and indications】 Expel wind and dampness; clear away heat and calm the nerves; detoxify and reduce swelling. It is used to treat rheumatic arthralgia, febrile convulsions, sore throat, carbuncle, scrofula, and snake bites.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-6g; or made into pills or powder. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or grind it with vinegar and apply on it.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction of the above content, we can understand that the ladder to heaven plays a very important role in treating some diseases. The consumption of Chinese medicine should be determined according to one's physical condition. Remember not to take it blindly.