Zizhu Leaf, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has many benefits and effects. Let's take a look at the botanical characteristics of Zizhu Leaf and its medicinal properties.
Image of Zizhu Leaf
【Nature and Meridians】
Zizhu Leaf has a bitter and astringent taste, and it is cool in nature. It belongs to the liver, lung, and stomach meridians.
【Dosage】
The recommended dosage of Zizhu Leaf is 3-15g. It can be taken in powdered form, with a dosage of 1.5-3g. For external use, apply an appropriate amount to the affected area.
【Botanical Characteristics】
Zizhu Leaf is a shrub or small tree. The young branches are covered with gray-white long hairs. The leaves are opposite, elongated oval to lanceolate, with short soft hairs on the upper surface and dense gray-white hairs on the lower surface. There are inconspicuous golden glandular dots on both sides. The umbel inflorescence branches 5-7 times, with a total peduncle length of 2-4cm. The calyx is 4-toothed and covered with star-shaped soft hairs. The corolla is purple, tubular, with a slightly hairy apex. There are 4 stamens and a superior ovary with 4 chambers. The fruit of Zizhu Leaf is berry-like, small and spherical, with glandular dots and turns purple-red when ripe. It blooms in summer.
【Medicinal Properties of Zizhu Leaf】
1. Treats gastrointestinal bleeding
Take 3-5 minutes of dried Zizhu Leaf powder and mix with cold boiled water. Take it every four hours. Then, take 0.2 ounces of Zizhu Leaf powder and boil it in water to make a tea. Drinking this tea regularly can treat gastrointestinal bleeding and prevent various symptoms caused by gastrointestinal diseases.
2. Treats hemoptysis
Take 5-7 minutes of dried Zizhu Leaf powder and mix with egg white. Take it every four hours. Then, take 0.4 ounces of dried Zizhu Leaf powder and boil it in water to make a tea. Drinking this tea regularly can help prevent and treat hemoptysis.
Image of Zizhu Leaf
3. Treats epistaxis
Take 0.4 ounces of dried Zizhu Leaf powder and mix with egg white. Take it orally and use cotton dipped in the leaf powder for nasal packing.
4. Treats bleeding from wounds
Wash fresh Zizhu Leaves with cold boiled water, grind them into a paste, and apply it to the wound. Alternatively, use powdered dried Zizhu Leaves for dressing after grinding. Use sterilized gauze for wrapping. This remedy is widely used in Fujian, China and has proven to be very effective.
5. Treats internal bleeding from falls or trauma
Take 2 ounces of fresh Zizhu Leaves and 2 ounces of Chinese yam, and 1 ounce of rock sugar. Stew in boiling water and take it in two doses.
6. Treats sore throat
Experts suggest that using Zizhu Leaf can effectively treat various causes of sore throat. Take 1 ounce of fresh Zizhu Leaves, wash them, boil them in 2 bowls of water, and take 1 bowl of the decoction. Alternatively, boil it as a tea and drink it regularly.
7. Treats excessive bleeding after tooth extraction
Use cotton dipped in dried Zizhu Leaf powder for nasal packing.
8. Treats conjunctivitis
Take 1 ounce of fresh Zizhu Leaf tops, wash them, chop them finely, boil them in 2 bowls of water, and take 1 bowl of the decoction.
9. Treats upper respiratory tract infections
Use Zizhu Leaf and Hedyotis diffusa, 15g each, and 9g of Qinpi. Decoction and take it once a day.
