Purple Oil Wood Leaves is a positive tree that grows in limestone mountain forests or shrubs, but it can also tolerate partial shade and prefers warm temperatures. It requires deep and fertile soil, strong germination power, slow growth, and long lifespan, but the seedlings have weak cold resistance. Why do the leaves of purple oil wood always fall off, and how should it be cultivated? What are the benefits of purple oil wood leaves?
[What is Chinese medicine purple oil wood leaves?]
Purple oil wood is a plant of the Anacardiaceae family and the genus Pistacia. It is also known as fragrant wood and is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It can be propagated by seeding or cuttings, and can be propagated in both spring and autumn.
It is an evergreen tree that grows to about 15-20 meters in height. The leaves are pinnately compound and alternate; they are 6-15 centimeters long with narrow wings on the leaf axis. There are 3-8 pairs of leathery leaflets.
The leaflets are elliptical or rectangular-ovate, 1.5-4 centimeters long and 1-2 centimeters wide. They have entire margins, a concave tip, and a wedge-shaped base. The upper surface is bright green. The cones are axillary;
The flowers are small, without petals, and are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). The male flowers have 1-5 pink sepals with hairs and 3-5 stamens, while the female flowers have 2-5 sepals and a 1-celled ovary without a stalk. The fruit is spherical and turns red when mature, with a network pattern on the surface.
Purple oil wood leaves grow in limestone mountain forests or shrubs at an altitude of 580-2700 meters. They are distributed in Southwest China, Guangxi, Tibet, and other regions.
[Why do the leaves of Chinese medicine purple oil wood always fall off?]
1. Leaf drop caused by light and ventilation
This condition is more likely to occur when there is a long-term lack of light. Poor ventilation can also cause the purple oil wood to drop leaves, so it is important to maintain good ventilation conditions.
2. Leaf drop caused by excessive watering
Purple oil wood prefers dry conditions and is difficult to water at once. Watering should follow the principle of not watering when the soil is still moist and watering thoroughly when watering is necessary. Avoid prolonged waterlogging or excessive water accumulation in the tray. Do not water only the surface, make sure to water thoroughly. Generally, when water is drained from the bottom of the pot for 10 seconds to a few minutes (depending on the size of the pot and the type of soil), it is sufficient.
3. Leaf drop caused by excessive fertilization
Purple oil wood is sensitive to fertilizers, and it is advisable to apply minimal or no fertilizer to seedlings to avoid burning or excessive elongation caused by excessive fertility.
Place it in a bright and well-ventilated place on the balcony, water thoroughly and let it dry. It is okay if the soil is slightly dry, but it is better to see the soil slightly moist. Excessive humidity can cause root rot and hinder water absorption, leading to leaf drop.
[Benefits and effects of purple oil wood leaves]
Chinese medicine believes that purple oil wood leaves have the effects of clearing heat, dispelling dampness, and relieving stagnation. It is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, indigestion, eczema, and rubella.
1. "Sichuan Common Chinese Medicinal Herbs": "Relieves pain and promotes Qi circulation. Used to treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, cracked feet, and other conditions."
2. "Yunnan Chinese Medicinal Herbs": "Clears heat and detoxifies. Used to treat dysentery, enteritis, diarrhea, ulcers, eczema, rubella, and indigestion."
The bark of fragrant wood (purple oil wood bark) is also used in herbal medicine. It has a bitter taste and a cool nature. It has the functions of astringing and stopping bleeding, and is used to treat external bleeding.
Purple oil wood leaves can also help dispel dampness. Boil 9-15 grams of purple oil wood leaves in water to make a decoction, and then take it orally to dispel dampness. It can effectively treat excessive dampness in the summer.
Taking a decoction of purple oil wood leaves can effectively treat gastrointestinal discomfort, such as indigestion, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also has a certain therapeutic effect on patients with rubella and eczema.
