The efficacy and function of Elecampane[picture]

The Chinese herbal medicine Inula [picture] is a very good Chinese herbal medicine. It has a very good effect in regulating the body and is also widely used in medicine. Let’s take a look together.

[Source] This product is the dried root of Inula helenium L. or Inula racemosa Hook.f. of the Asteraceae family . Dig it up in autumn, remove the mud and sand, and dry it in the sun.

[Properties] This product is conical, slightly curved, and 5 to 20 cm long. The surface is yellow-brown or dark brown, with longitudinal wrinkles and root marks. The root head is thick, with a sunken stem scar and leaf sheath remnants at the top, and cylindrical lateral roots around it. It is hard and not easy to break. The cross section is slightly flat, yellowish white to light grayish yellow, and has concave oil chambers. It has a slight fragrance and tastes bitter and spicy.

【Identification】 (1) Cross section of this product: The cork layer consists of several rows of cork cells. Phloem broad. The cambium ring is not very obvious. The width of xylem rays is 6 to 25 rows of cells; there are few vessels, which are single or in groups and arranged radially; there are few wood fibers, which are in bundles around the vessels in the center of the xylem. The parenchyma cells contain inulin. The oil chambers are distributed in the phloem and xylem, with a diameter of 80 to 300 μm.

【Content determination】 Determined by gas chromatography (Appendix VI E).

[Processing] Remove impurities, wash, soak, slice and dry.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, bitter, warm.

[return through meridians] Return to the liver and spleen meridians.

[Functions and indications] Strengthens the spleen and stomach, regulates qi and relieves depression, relieves pain and stabilizes pregnancy. It is used for distension and pain in the chest and flanks, abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, chest and flank contusion, pain caused by stitches in the side, and fetal movement disorder.

[Usage and Dosage] 3-9g, mostly taken in the form of pills or powder.

【Storage】Keep in a cool and dry place.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

【Source】《Compendium of Materia Medica》

The utilization rate of Inula odorata [picture] in traditional Chinese medicine is still very high and can be used to treat a variety of diseases. We should eat it after fully understanding the effects and functions of Eupatorium vulgaris [Picture]. I hope everyone doesn’t eat carelessly.