Xishan grass is a relatively rare medicinal and edible food, which has a wide range of uses in life. It can not only treat rheumatism and swelling, but also invigorate the tendons and strengthen the bones. Now let's take a look at the medicinal value of Xishan grass.
Xishan grass picture
【Morphological characteristics of Xishan grass】
Xishan grass is an annual herbaceous plant, 50-100 cm tall. The stem is upright and often purple. The upper part of the branch is densely covered with gray-white long soft hairs and purplish-brown glandular hairs. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, broadly ovate or ovate-triangular, 9-14 cm long and 4-9 cm wide;
The base is wedge-shaped, extending downward into a winged petiole, and the apex is pointed. The leaf margin has irregular serrations, and both sides are densely covered with long soft hairs; usually the upper leaves gradually become smaller, becoming elliptic-lanceolate in shape.
The head-like inflorescence is terminal or axillary, arranged in a conical shape; the peduncle of the capitulum is densely covered with long soft hairs and glandular hairs, secreting mucus; the involucre consists of two layers, with 5 linear-spathulate outer bracts and 10-12 inverted ovate inner bracts, both layers of bracts are glandular.
The flower is hermaphroditic, yellow, with ligulate marginal flowers, female, with 3 shallow lobes at the apex; the style is 2-cleft; the central flowers are tubular, bisexual, with 5 lobes at the apex; there are 5 stamens, the ovary is inferior, and the style is 2-cleft. The fruit is inverted-ovate, slightly curved, 4-ribbed, black, and without hairs. Flowering period is from August to October. Fruiting period is from September to December.
Xishan grass picture
【Medicinal value of Xishan grass】
Xishan grass has the effect of dispelling dampness and promoting blood circulation in meridians. It has significant therapeutic effects on rheumatic paralysis and rheumatoid arthritis when used in combination with angelica, wujiapi, and haifengteng.
It can also dispel wind-heat and detoxify. If there is eczema on the skin with itching, a small amount of Xishan grass can be taken to relieve itching.
Taking 30 grams of Xishan grass decoction can also treat malaria, and the effect is significant with minimal side effects.
China has a long tradition of brewing liquor, and various precious medicinal herbs can be soaked in liquor. Xishan grass is no exception. It not only has the function of dispelling cold, but also has a more prominent effect of dredging meridians and dispelling rheumatism.
Xishan grass can also play a great role in cooking. A small amount of Xishan grass can be added when stewing soup. Because it does not have a pungent taste, it can invisibly blend the medicinal effects into the soup.
Xishan grass picture
【Methods of consuming Xishan grass】
Boxthorn Xishan grass Pig's Trotter Soup
Ingredients: 50g of boxthorn, 50g of Xishan grass, 1 pair of pig's trotters, 14 pieces of dried tangerine peel, 4 pieces of honey dates, 3 slices of ginger.
Method: 1. Rinse the boxthorn and Xishan grass repeatedly, soak them slightly; soak the dried tangerine peel and remove the core; wash the pig's trotters and cut them in half, then crack them with the back of a knife.
2. Put the above ingredients and ginger into a clay pot, add 3000 ml of water (about 12 bowls), bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours on low heat, and add salt to taste. This amount is suitable for 3-4 people.
Efficacy: Boxthorn Xishan grass Pig's Trotter Soup has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, invigorating tendons and promoting blood circulation, nourishing qi and blood, and strengthening bones.
