The efficacy and function of poplar flowers

Poplar flowers are a common Chinese medicine. They can be used for medicinal purposes as well as for food. The effects and functions of poplar flowers are quite comprehensive. Let's take a look at them together.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa, Populus canadensis or several plants of the same genus in the Salicaceae family.

【Original form】 1. A tall tree, up to 30m high. The bark is gray-green or gray-white, with scattered rhombus-shaped lenticels or 2-4 in a row. The base of the old trunk is black-gray and longitudinally cracked. The buds are ovate, the flower buds are ovate or nearly spherical, slightly covered with felt hairs. The long-branch leaves are broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, 10-15cm long, 8-13cm wide, with short acuminate apex, cordate or truncate base, and wavy dentate margins; the petiole is laterally compressed at the upper part, 3-7cm long, and usually has 2-3 (-4) glandular dots at the apex; the short leaves are usually smaller, ovate or triangular-ovate; the margins have deep wavy denticles, the petiole is slightly shorter than the leaf blade, laterally compressed, and has no glandular dots at the apex. The male inflorescence is 10-14 (-20) cm long; the male bracts have about 10 points, densely hairy, 6-12 stamens, and red anthers; the female inflorescence is 4-7 cm long, the bracts are pointed, and the edges are hairy; the ovary is oblong, the stigma is 2-lobed, and pink. Infructescence up to 14 cm long; capsule 2-valved. The flowering period is March-April, and the fruiting period is April-May.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: 1. It likes to grow in mild plain areas below 1500m above sea level and is also cultivated.

【Cultivation】 1. Biological characteristics: Canadian poplar has strong adaptability, likes sunshine, is drought-resistant and waterlogged, and avoids growing in low-lying and saline-alkali land.

【Properties】 Identification of properties (1) The male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa is long and cylindrical, 6-10 cm long, 0.4-1 cm in diameter, mostly broken, and reddish brown or dark brown in color. Bud scales are mostly tightly held and cup-shaped, with individual scales broadly oval, 0.3-1.3cm long, with fine hairs on the edges and a slightly smooth surface. There are many disks with stamens on the inflorescence axis. The disks are flat, semicircular or subcircular, and dark brown. Each male flower has 6-12 stamens, some of which fall off. The filaments are short and the anthers are 2-chambered and brown. Bracts ovate or broadly ovate, with deeply fissured margins and long white pubescent. Light body. It has a faint smell and tastes slightly bitter and astringent.

[Chemical composition] The leaves contain quercetin, quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside, myricetin-3-β-D-galacloside, and luteolin-7-β-D-glucoside.

[Processing] Take the original medicinal materials, remove impurities, or chop them into pieces.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; cold

【Meridian】 Large Intestine Meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; eliminates dampness and stops dysentery. Mainly bacillary dysentery; enteritis

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: appropriate amount, apply hot iron.

【Note】 People with weak spleen and stomach should take it with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

After learning so much about the various aspects of the Chinese medicinal poplar flower, I believe that we can remain calm when facing the troubles of illness and treat the treatment of the disease correctly.