The efficacy and function of purple mustard seeds

Purple mustard seeds are a type of traditional Chinese medicine. They are very helpful to the human body in treating certain diseases, and this type of medicine is also widely used. When choosing purple mustard seeds, you need to understand their effects, functions and contraindications. Let's take a look at them below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The seeds of the cruciferous plant Shepherd's purse.

[Original morphology] Shepherd's purse is an annual herb with a plant height of 10-40cm. Densely covered with simple hairs or two to three-branched stiff hairs. The stem branches from the base and is erect or spreading. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 5-10mm long or nearly sessile; leaf blade is oblong, oblanceolate or nearly elliptic, 2-10cm long, 5-15mm wide, obtuse at apex, cuneate at base, margin with 2-4 pairs of wavy teeth or entire. The raceme has 10-30 flowers, and the axis of the infructescence can be extended to 20cm during the fruiting period; there are 4 sepals, erect, narrowly oblong, 8-10mm long, green or purple, with white edges, pubescent on the back, and the bases of the 2 outer ones are slightly sac-shaped; there are 4 petals, purple or pink, oblong, 10-12mm long, 1.5-2mm wide, obtuse at the apex, and clawed at the base; there are 6 stamens, 4 long and 2 short, the long stamens are 6-7mm long, the short stamens are 5-6mm long, the filaments are linear, and the anthers are nearly elliptical; there is 1 pistil, the ovary is thin cylindrical, and the style is not obvious. The silique is slender cylindrical, slightly 4-sided, 2-4cm long, 1-2mm wide, hard, densely covered with long simple hairs and forked hairs, a few are glabrous, with a short awl-like beak at the tip and a short stalk at the base. There is one row of seeds in each chamber, which are light brown, oblong and slightly flattened, and about 1 mm long. Flowering and fruiting period is June to August.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on roadsides, wastelands, fields, hillsides and canal banks at an altitude of 400-2800m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The seeds are oblong and slightly flattened, about 1mm long, light brown in color, with a visible hilum at one end. After removing the seed coat, two thick cotyledons can be seen, which are oily and folded against each other, with the cotyledons leaning against the radicle. It has a faint smell and tastes bitter and spicy.

【Chemical composition】 The seeds contain fatty acids and sinapine.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; cold

【Functions and indications】Expel phlegm and relieve asthma; drain the lungs and promote the circulation of water. It is used for cough, sputum, pleural effusion, chest and flank distension, and lung abscess.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-9g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the detailed introduction of purple mustard seeds, I believe everyone has a certain understanding and can better improve our common sense in life.