The root of cattail, also known as bulrush, is a common wild vegetable used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely used due to its mosquito repellent and hemostatic effects. Let's learn about the efficacy, functions, and uses of cattail root.
Cattail Root Image
【Efficacy and Functions of Cattail Root】
Cattail root, also known as straw root or mang grass, belongs to the root of the cattail plant. It has a mild and slightly bitter taste and a cool nature. It belongs to the stomach, bladder, and kidney meridians.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cattail root is believed to have the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and detoxification. It is mainly used for hot dysuria, urinary retention, excessive leukorrhea, and swollen gums.
"Commonly Used Sichuan Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Toothache caused by heat, dysuria, leukorrhea."
"Summary of the Materia Medica": "Diuretic, cold and wind invasion, toothache, dysuria, leukorrhea, cough."
"Folk Herbal Recipes in China": "Treatment of chest pain and real evidence: 60g fresh cattail root, 20g gardenia, 10g melia toosendan, 6g coptis chinensis. Boil the herbs and take it three times a day."
Cattail Root Image
【Methods of Consuming Cattail Root】
Cattail root grows by the pond or lake and can be found in various parts of China. It is harvested in the autumn, and the above-ground parts are removed before drying.
Both cattail root and tender stems are excellent sources of food. They are crispy when stir-fried with fresh ingredients. They can also be harvested in large quantities, dried, ground into powder, and used to make pancakes and steamed buns.
It is said that during the difficult times in the mid-20th century, cattail alone fed many people across the country. Even now, many elderly people still have the habit of picking cattail as a vegetable in the summer.
One famous dish in Shandong, called "Milk Soup Cattail," is made using cattail root as the main ingredient. However, wild cattail root cannot be eaten directly and needs to be processed before use.
【Uses of Cattail Root】
1. Lighting and Mosquito Repellent
After drying cattail, soak it in oil to make a natural candle. It can burn for several hours without extinguishing. If lit directly without oil, it will emit a faint fragrance. Placing it by the bed at night keeps mosquitoes away.
Cattail Root Image
2. Medicinal Use for Hemostasis
Cut a piece of cattail, remove the ripe sausage-like part on top, and crush it before applying it to a wound. As long as the wound is not too deep, it will immediately stop bleeding. It can heal and form a scar within a few days, with better results than many Western medicines.
In addition to hemostasis, cattail root can also be used to promote diuresis, treat excessive leukorrhea, and alleviate rheumatism and rheumatoid pain.
3. Weaving and Papermaking
In the past, there was a saying in rural areas, "Having the skill of weaving cattails is better than saving money." Mature cattail leaves, after drying, can be used to weave grass shoes, mats, fans, and cushions, among many other daily necessities.
Hardworking rural women used to weave many things with cattail every late summer. Not only did they provide for their own families, but they also sold them at the market to supplement their income.
The stems and leaves of cattail can also be used for papermaking. Unfortunately, this traditional papermaking technique is now almost forgotten.
