Goosevine is a kind of vine weed that is very common in rural areas, just like trumpet vine. The seeds inside the fruit of goosevine are similar to dandelion seeds. The white latex in its roots and stems leaves can be used as medicine, with the effects of dispelling wind and detoxifying, promoting digestion and strengthening the stomach.
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Plant Morphology of Goosevine
Goosevine is a twining herbaceous plant with a cylindrical main root, about 20 cm long and 5 mm in diameter, and turns grayish-yellow when dried. The whole plant is covered with short soft hairs.
The leaves are opposite, thin and papery, broadly triangular in shape, 4-9 cm long and 4-7 cm wide. The apex is sharp, the base is heart-shaped. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, while the lower surface is pale. Both sides are covered with short soft hairs.
The racemes are paired or only one develops, slender cylindrical, gradually pointed towards the apex, 11 cm long and 5 mm in diameter. The seeds are elongated and the seed hairs are white and silky. The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
The flowers of goosevine are white and clustered. The fruits are long and can be mistaken for green beans if not careful. When the fruits are ripe, they dry up and split open, and the hairy seeds fly out and land in the soil. They will germinate again the following year. The reproductive ability is particularly strong.
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Medicinal Value of Goosevine
After the stems and leaves of goosevine are cut, white latex will flow out. This white latex is toxic, but it contains many medicinal ingredients such as alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. It is a good traditional Chinese medicine for treating warts.
Method: Routine disinfection, use a syringe needle (or a disinfected needle) to gently prick the center of the wart, causing slight bleeding.
When the fresh stem of goosevine is cut, white milky juice will overflow. Apply the juice to the affected area 2-3 times a day. Generally, the wart will fall off by itself within 7-10 days.
The roots of goosevine can also be used as medicine, with the effects of dispelling wind and detoxifying, promoting digestion and relieving pain. Boiling the roots in water and drinking the decoction can treat children's indigestion.
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Difference between Goosevine and Chinese Dodder
Do you feel familiar with goosevine? Chinese dodder and goosevine are sisters and they look quite similar.
If you only look at the leaves, it can be confusing and difficult to distinguish. But if you look at their fruits, the difference becomes obvious.
The fruits of goosevine are slender and somewhat resemble the roots of "maogencao" that we ate in childhood. On the other hand, the fruits of Chinese dodder are obviously larger. With this comparison, it becomes clear, right?
Just like Chinese dodder, when the fruits of goosevine mature in late autumn, they also turn brownish-yellow, split open, and the seeds with silver threads fly away with the wind.
