The herb "Baiducao" is also known as "Shilongcao", "Yindouyao", "Baidaiyao", and "Baimafeng". It comes from the rhizome or whole plant of the fern plant Equisetum ramosissimum. It is mainly used to treat wind-toxic skin diseases, itching, and damp eczema.
Image of Baiducao
Morphology of Baiducao
The plant is 8-22cm tall. The rhizome is horizontally growing, covered with rust-red, linear lanceolate scales and white soft hairs at the base of the petiole.
Leaves are clustered; petioles are wiry, hard, 5-10cm long, chestnut-colored, densely covered with light brown long hairs from the base upwards;
Leaf blades are thick and papery, lanceolate, 5-15cm long, 1.5-4cm wide, with the largest terminal lobes reaching up to 3cm in length, pinnate once;
There are 3-11 pairs of lobes, alternate, ovate or elongated ovate, with a heart-shaped base, asymmetric, sometimes with small ear-like projections;
The tips are blunt, with short stalks at the base, entire margins, dark green surface, sparsely covered with soft hairs, and densely covered with rust-colored hairs on the back.
Sporangia are linear, borne on both sides of the lateral veins, hidden among the hairs; no sporangial cover.
Habitat and Distribution of Baiducao
Ecological environment: It grows on dry rocks on slopes at an altitude of 900-2000m.
Distribution: It is distributed in Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, Southwest China, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, and other regions.
Image of Baiducao
Characteristics of Baiducao
The rhizome is densely covered with rust-yellow, narrow-lanceolate scales. The petioles are chestnut brown and covered with hairs up to the petiole of the lobes.
The leaf blades are thick and papery, 5-15cm long, 1.5-4cm wide, pinnate once, with a deep heart-shaped base and sometimes 1-2 small ear-like lobes, both sides covered with brown long hairs;
The lateral veins branch multiple times, with small veins separated, sometimes forming elongated mesh near the leaf edge.
Sporangia are borne on the lateral veins, covered with soft hairs. It has a slight aroma and a bitter taste.
Medicinal Uses of Baiducao
Main functions: Detoxification; drying dampness and relieving itching. It is mainly used to treat wind-toxic skin diseases, itching, eczema, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
Methods of use: Internal use: Decoction, 9-15g of rhizome. External use: Suitable amount of whole plant, boiled in water for washing.
