Wolfgrass is a widely distributed plant that prefers wet habitats. Due to its biological characteristics, it often grows in groups and is mainly found in wetlands, ditches, and shallow water banks. Wolfgrass has a wide range of applications, with the whole plant being used for calming and lowering blood pressure, and the roots being used to treat indigestion.
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[Benefits and Uses of Wolfgrass]
1. Benefits and Uses of Wolfgrass
In traditional Chinese medicine, wolfgrass is believed to have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and stopping sweating. It is used for colds, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, enteritis, hepatitis, urinary tract infections, night sweats due to tuberculosis, and amenorrhea. It can also be used topically to treat boils, eczema, and ringworm.
1. "Compendium of Materia Medica": "It is used for chronic diarrhea, abdominal distension and fullness in children, erysipelas, and fever. Take the root and stem and boil them for consumption."
2. "Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica": "It is used to treat bloody dysentery."
3. "Compendium of Materia Medica": "It is used to treat long-standing ringworm, itching that occurs during cloudy weather, and yellowish fluid that is scratched out. Grind it into powder and mix it."
4. "Herbal Medicine of Eastern Fujian": "It nourishes yin and lungs, clears heat and detoxifies. It treats coughs, wheezing, and sore throat."
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2. Pharmacological Effects of Wolfgrass
1. Injection of wolfgrass extract into animals has a sedative, hypotensive, and mildly increased heart rate effect; oral administration can promote diuresis and sweating.
2. Decoction of wolfgrass roots has the effect of improving digestive function.
3. Modern folk use decoction of wolfgrass to treat hemoptysis and hematuria caused by pulmonary and renal tuberculosis, and have achieved certain therapeutic effects. It can also be used to treat oral ulcers, boils, and snake bites.
4. Wolfgrass is widely distributed in most parts of the country and has been used for a long time. However, its composition and pharmacology have only been studied in recent times. It is mainly used for upper respiratory tract inflammation and gastroenteritis. The roots can be used to treat indigestion, and it is effective when used alone or in combination with other herbs.
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[Distinguishing Wolfgrass from Other Plants]
1. Shepherd's Purse and Wolfgrass
Common point: Both can treat dysentery.
Difference: Shepherd's purse is suitable for treating dysentery caused by damp-heat, while wolfgrass is suitable for treating dysentery caused by heat toxin with qi deficiency.
2. Dichroa febrifuga and Wolfgrass
Common point: Both can treat diarrhea.
Difference: Dichroa febrifuga is suitable for treating diarrhea caused by heat, while wolfgrass, although it can treat diarrhea caused by damp-heat, is especially good at treating diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency.
3. Amaranthus viridis and Wolfgrass
Common point: Both can treat dysentery.
Difference: Amaranthus viridis is suitable for treating dysentery caused by heat toxin, with more red stools and less white stools. Wolfgrass is suitable for treating dysentery caused by heat toxin with qi deficiency.
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[Botanical Features of Wolfgrass]
1. Habitat Distribution
Wolfgrass grows in water-side wetlands, ditches, shallow water banks, and also in roadside wastelands. It is distributed in most parts of the country.
2. Ecological Characteristics
Wolfgrass reproduces through seeds and prefers wetland habitats. It is commonly found in reed fields and seedling fields, and can greatly affect the growth of reeds. Seedlings can be seen from mid to late March, and the period of emergence is relatively long.
Due to the high fertility and good water and fertilizer conditions of reed fields, wolfgrass grows particularly vigorously. In May, the plant height exceeds that of reeds, with many branches and lush leaves, which has a great impact on the growth of reeds. Flowering can still be seen in November.
3. Control Methods
In general, in mid to late February, 10-15 days after harrowing in seedling fields, 30ml of 24% glyphosate emulsion and 6g of 50% metsulfuron-methyl wettable powder per mu can be used.
After irrigating the fields, the pesticide can be mixed with urea and evenly spread. When the water in the fields naturally dries up, it can also eliminate other broadleaf weeds. For a small number of emerged wolfgrass plants, they can be manually removed in the early stage.
