Graywort, a traditional Chinese medicine. Also known as Jinsuotian and Huili. It has the effect of removing dampness and detoxification. It is used to treat ulcers, abscesses, swelling, and itching caused by scabies and eczema.
【Graywort Plant Morphology】
Graywort is a perennial herb, 20-450 cm tall. The stem is erect, branching, with angular ridges and stripes. Leaves are alternate; the lower ones are 3-lobed, with 2 short lobes near the base, elliptic or triangular, usually with a small tooth below each lobe;
The middle leaves are elliptic, with wavy teeth on the edges, blunt at the apex, and wedge-shaped at the base; the upper leaves are smaller, narrow and long, with shallow teeth or almost entire margins; both sides of the leaves are slightly powdery; the petiole is slender and weak.
The inflorescence is axillary or terminal, with small and sparse clusters of flowers, covered with powdery substance; the calyx has 5 shallow green petals with white edges, without ridges on the back, bending inward; there are 5 stamens extending outside the calyx; the stigma is linear.
The entire capsule is enclosed within the calyx. The seeds are flat and black. The fruit ripens from June to July. It is found in wasteland and fields in most parts of China.
It is harvested in March-April and used fresh or dried.
【Efficacy and Function of Graywort】
Taste and properties: Sweet, bitter, and cool.
① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Taste sweet, neutral, non-toxic."
② "Emergency Materia Medica": "Slightly bitter and astringent taste, cool properties."
③ "Essentials of Medical Forest": "Sweet, cold; the red-gray type has slight toxicity."
Main functions: Graywort removes dampness and detoxifies. It is used to treat ulcers, abscesses, swelling, itching caused by scabies and eczema.
① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Used for severe ulcers, bites from insects, silkworms, spiders, etc., crush and apply oil on them; it can also be cooked and used as a bath to treat scabies and eczema; burn it into ash, hold it in the mouth or apply it to the cavities of the teeth to treat toothache."
Take the ash and extract the juice three or four times, erode the polyps, remove white vitiligo, treat melasma, and promote the healing of wounds. Rice cooked with ash is fragrant and smooth, and can kill three types of parasites."
② "Essentials of Medical Forest": "Removes dampness and heat."
③ "Sichuan Medicinal Plants": "Can clear heat and reduce fever."
