Dieda Lao is made from the stems, leaves, or roots of the Zingiberaceae plant, Alpinia oxyphylla, mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other regions in China. It has the effects of dispelling wind, killing insects, and stopping bleeding, and is commonly used for scabies, itchy sores, external bleeding, and cracked hands and feet.
The Alpinia oxyphylla is a shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 2-5m. The small branches are covered with yellow long hairs, which soon fall off. The leaves are leathery, with 4-5 whorls; lanceolate or inversely lanceolate elliptic, 10-22cm long, and 2-6cm wide. The apex is pointed, the base is blunt or nearly round, the upper surface is hairless, only the midrib is covered in short soft hairs at first, the lower surface is pale gray or yellowish-brown, covered with yellow soft hairs. The petiole is 2-6mm long and covered with long soft hairs.
The umbel inflorescence consists of 2-10 dense clusters on the upper part of the small branches. The total peduncle is 1-2cm long, covered with yellowish-brown soft hairs. The bracts are 4-7, covered with grayish-brown silky hairs, each bract containing 7-8 flowers. The sepals are lanceolate in shape.
The stamens are 9, with long filaments that protrude and have long soft hairs. The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla is ovate, about 1cm long, with a pointed tip. The flowering period is from April to November, and the fruiting period is from November to January of the following year.
Dieda Lao has the effects of dispelling wind, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used for rheumatoid arthritis, lower back and leg pain, limb paralysis, dysmenorrhea, and injuries.
Dieda Lao has strong germination power and tough texture, and is often used as firewood and charcoal material. Its roots and leaves have a cool and sweet taste, and are used by folk medicine to treat bruises, chest pain, rheumatism, and menstrual pain. The leaves are also used externally to treat fractures and snake bites.
1. "Lu Chuan's Materia Medica": Stems and leaves: Disperses blood stasis, reduces swelling. Treats injuries and swelling.
2. "Guangxi Medicinal Plant Directory": Roots: Expels wind, promotes qi circulation, treats pulmonary tuberculosis and deficiency. Stems and leaves: Treats snake bites.
