Zizhu leaf is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine in daily life. It can be used fresh or dried, especially for gum bleeding, sprains and swelling, and skin ulcers. However, it is important to control the dosage when using it.
Picture of Zizhu leaf
Functions and indications of Zizhu leaf
It can stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, and disperse stasis and swelling.
It is used for gastric and duodenal ulcer bleeding, external bleeding, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, sprains and swelling, pyogenic skin ulcers, burns, and influenza.
Dosage of Zizhu leaf
Zizhu leaf can be used fresh or dried, and the medicinal properties are not significantly different between the two methods.
Zizhu leaf is usually harvested in summer and autumn. However, the dosage of Zizhu leaf needs to be carefully controlled, ranging from 15g to 30g.
If the dosage is too small, the therapeutic effect may not be achieved, while an excessive dosage may lead to side effects.
Identification of Zizhu leaf
Dried Zizhu leaves are often curled up and easily breakable.
Picture of Zizhu leaf
If the leaves are flattened, they are usually elongated oval-shaped or lanceolate-shaped.
The length of the leaves is between 15cm and 30cm, and the width is relatively larger, ranging from 5cm to 11cm.
In addition, the leaves of Zizhu leaf become sharper, with some fine teeth on the edges.
The identification of Zizhu leaf can be based on the trichomes on the leaves.
The upper surface of Zizhu leaf has short trichomes, while the lower surface has denser gray-white trichomes. This characteristic can be used to identify Zizhu leaf in daily life.
Modern scientific research has also found that Zizhu leaf contains a large amount of beneficial nutrients for the body, especially muscone, apigenin, hesperidin, and Zizhu terpenoids, which can effectively promote health when consumed.
Contraindications of Zizhu leaf
Zizhu leaf has a cooling nature, so it should be used with caution by patients with cold-type bleeding.
