Chinese medicine believes that Di Shao Gua has the effect of clearing excess heat, nourishing qi, generating body fluids, and promoting lactation. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as inflammation of excess heat, sore throat; deficiency of qi and yin, fatigue, forgetfulness, irritability, thirst, dizziness, and insomnia; postpartum weakness and insufficient milk supply. Now let's take a look at the picture of Di Shao Gua and its application in prescriptions.
【Morphology of Di Shao Gua】
1. Di Shao Gua
The stem branches out from the base. The leaves are opposite or nearly opposite; the leaf blades are linear, 3-5cm long, 2-5mm wide, with raised midveins on the lower surface. The flowers are clustered in umbel-like inflorescences in the leaf axils; the calyx is covered with soft hairs on the outside. The corolla is greenish-white; the corolla lobes are cup-shaped, triangular-lanceolate, gradually closing and higher than the membranous sepals. The fruit is spindle-shaped, gradually pointed at the apex, swollen in the middle, 5-6cm long, and about 2cm in diameter. The seeds are flattened, dark brown, up to 8mm long, and covered with white silky hairs, up to 2cm long. The flowering period of Di Shao Gua is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
2. Que Piao
It is similar to the original species, with weak stems and fewer branches. The stem usually elongates and twines at the apex. The leaves are linear or linear-ovate; the flowers are smaller and more numerous. The flowering period is from March to August, and the fruiting period is from May to October.
【Habitat Distribution】
Di Shao Gua grows on mountain slopes, sand dunes, dry valleys, wastelands, and field edges at altitudes of 200-2000m. It is distributed in Northeast China, North China, Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Gansu, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, and other places.
Que Piao grows by ditches, riverbanks, or on slopes, roadside shrubs, or grasslands. It is distributed in Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, and other places.
【Identification Characteristics】
1. Di Shao Gua
The whole plant is 15-30cm long, often curved, and the aboveground part is covered with short hairs. The root is slender, brown, with long roots. The stem does not twine, mostly branching from the base, cylindrical, with longitudinal wrinkles; it is light in weight, brittle in texture, and easily broken. The leaves are opposite, mostly broken or fallen off, and when flattened, they are linear in shape, 3-5cm long, 2-5cm wide, with entire margins. The flowers of Di Shao Gua are small and yellowish-white. The fruit is spindle-shaped and has longitudinal wrinkles on the surface. It has a slight fragrance and astringent taste.
2. Que Piao
The stem twines and has fewer branches; the leaves are linear or linear-ovate.
【Application in Prescriptions】
① Treatment for deficiency of qi and blood: one or two Di Shao Gua whole plants, two liang of Tu Huang Qi. Decoction for oral administration.
② Treatment for neurasthenia: one jin of Di Shao Gua whole plant. Extract the juice by decoction, use the medicinal juice to beat two eggs, and drink it as tea twice a day.
③ Treatment for sore throat: one or two Di Shao Gua (two liang of whole plants). Decoction for oral administration, or chew fresh fruits.
【Picture of Di Shao Gua】
Picture of Di Shao Gua
Picture of Di Shao Gua
