As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Suiguzi has the effect of clearing heat and promoting diuresis. It is used to treat fever, thirst, restlessness, and urinary difficulties. Let's learn about the botanical characteristics of Suiguzi and its applications in traditional prescriptions.
【Botanical Characteristics of Suiguzi】
1. Dianzhuye
Dianzhuye is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 40-90cm. It has a short, thick, and hard rhizome. The fibrous roots are sparse, with the upper or middle part often thickened into spindle-shaped tuberous roots. The stem is weak and partially woody.
The leaves are alternate, broadly lanceolate, measuring 5-20cm in length and 1.5-3cm in width. They have a gradually pointed or short-pointed apex, entire margins, and a near circular or gradually narrowed base that may be petiolate or sessile. The leaves have multiple parallel veins and distinct transverse veins, forming a small rectangular grid pattern. The surfaces are smooth or slightly hairy. The leaf sheath has a smooth edge or is slightly hairy. The leaf ligule is short and hard, measuring 0.5-1mm, with hairy margins.
The terminal panicle is cone-shaped, measuring 10-30cm in length, with few branches that are sparse, obliquely ascending, or spreading. The spikelets are linear-lanceolate, measuring 7-12mm in length (including the short awn) and 1.5-2.5mm in width. They have stout pedicels measuring about 1mm in length. The glumes are elongated oval with five veins, blunt apexes, and thin membranous edges. The first glume is shorter than the second glume.
The outer glumes are longer than the inner glumes, needle-shaped, measuring 6-7mm in length and approximately 3mm in width. They have a short pointed tip and 5-7 veins. The inner glumes are shorter than the outer glumes and have a transparent membranous texture. The caryopsis is spindle-shaped and dark brown. The flowering period is from June to September, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
2. Zhonghua Dianzhuye
This species has a similar appearance to Dianzhuye. The difference lies in the broader leaves of Zhonghua Dianzhuye, reaching up to 4cm in width. The panicle has shorter branches, measuring 3-8cm in length. The spikelets are broadly lanceolate, measuring 7-9cm in length and 2.5-3mm in width. The glumes are broadly ovate with 5-7 veins. The first outer glume measures about 6mm in length and 5mm in width, with 7 veins and a short awn that is less than 1mm. The flowering period is from August to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
【Applications of Suiguzi in Traditional Prescriptions】
① For treating nephritis: Take five qian (approximately 15 grams) of Suiguzi and Dizhen. Decoct in water and take it once a day. (From "Jiangxi Herbal Medicine")
② For treating fever, restlessness, and thirst: Take three to five qian (approximately 9-15 grams) of Suiguzi or leaves. Decoct in water and take it. (From "Jiangxi Herbal Medicine")
