Female Loofah, also known as Guanguan flower, Duiye grass, and Duiye vegetable, is distributed throughout China. It is collected in summer and autumn, and can be used fresh or dried after removing sand and sediment. Let's learn about the efficacy and functions of female loofah and its medicinal properties below.
Picture of Female Loofah
Efficacy and Functions of Female Loofah
Female Loofah has the effects of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, invigorating the spleen, promoting diuresis, and detoxification. It is mainly used to treat irregular menstruation, insufficient lactation, pediatric malnutrition, spleen deficiency edema, and carbuncle and swelling caused by toxins.
1. "Guizhou Herbal Medicine": Promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, dispels accumulation, invigorates the spleen, and detoxifies. It is used to treat irregular menstruation, pediatric malnutrition, and abscesses and swellings.
2. "Ningxia Herbal Medicine Manual": Promotes lactation and diuresis.
Internal use: Decoction, 9-15g, can be used up to 30g in large doses; or powdered. External use: Apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb.
Picture of Female Loofah
Medicinal Properties of Female Loofah
Female Loofah is a perennial or biennial herb, 20-70cm tall. The whole plant is densely covered with short, soft hairs. The stem is erect and branches from the base. The leaves are opposite, with the upper leaves sessile and the lower leaves short-stalked.
The capsule is elliptical, with a 6-lobed apex, and the outer calyx is nearly the same length as the fruit. The seeds are numerous, small, dark brown, and have tuberculate projections. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from July to August.
The whole plant is densely covered with short, soft hairs, 20-70cm long. The root is slender and spindle-shaped, and becomes woody. The base of the stem branches extensively. The leaves are opposite, with the complete leaf blades lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 4-7cm long, 4-8mm wide, with a pointed apex and a gradually narrowing base.
The upper leaves are sessile. The flowers are pink and often borne in clusters of 2-3 on the branches. The capsule is elliptical. The seeds are kidney-shaped, small, and blackish brown, with tuberculate projections along the edges. It has a faint odor and a mild taste.
Picture of Female Loofah
Clinical Applications of Female Loofah
1. Treatment of irregular menstruation (delayed): 15g of Female Loofah, 9g of Xiaoxueteng. Decoction and warm intake, twice daily. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
2. Treatment of insufficient lactation in postpartum women: 15g of Female Loofah, 15g of Huangqi, and 9g of Danggui. Decoction and intake. ("Ningxia Herbal Medicine Manual")
3. Treatment of insufficient lactation: 15g of Female Loofah, 6g of Tongcao, and 9g of Shashen. Stew with pig's trotters and consume. ("National Herbal Medicine Compilation")
4. Treatment of lower back pain: 30g of Female Loofah, 1 squid. Stew with water and a suitable amount of yellow wine, and consume. ("Fujian Materia Medica")
5. Treatment of pediatric malnutrition: 3g of Female Loofah. Grind into powder, steam with Huanghua, and consume twice daily. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
