Di Da Lao, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, grows in valleys, beside streams, shrubs, or mixed forests. It has the functions of dispelling wind and promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. When is the best time to collect Di Da Lao as a medicinal herb, and what is the storage method?
Di Da Lao
Di Da Lao in its original form
It is a shrub or small tree, 2-5m high. The small branches are densely covered with long, hard, yellow hairs, which soon fall off.
The leaves are almost leathery, with 4-5 leaves arranged in a whorl. They are lanceolate or inverted lanceolate, 10-22cm long, 2-6cm wide, with a tapering tip and a blunt or nearly circular base. The upper surface is without hairs, except for short soft hairs on the midrib at first. The lower surface is light gray or yellowish-brown, covered with yellow soft hairs.
The leaf stalk is 2-6mm long, covered with long soft hairs. The umbel inflorescence consists of 2-10 umbels densely arranged in the upper part of the small branches. The total peduncle is 1-2cm long, covered with yellow-brown soft hairs.
There are 4-7 bracts, covered with gray-brown silk hairs. Each bract contains 7-8 flowers. The sepals are lanceolate, and there are 9 stamens with long filaments that protrude and have long soft hairs.
The fruit is ovoid, about 1cm long, with a pointed tip. The flowering period is from April to November, and the fruiting period is from November to January of the following year.
Habitat distribution of Di Da Lao
Ecological environment: It grows in valleys, beside streams, shrubs, or mixed forests.
Distribution: It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other places.
Collection and storage of Di Da Lao
It is collected and washed in spring and summer seasons, and can be used fresh or dried in the sun.
Functions and effects of Di Da Lao
It can dispel wind, promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. It is mainly used for rheumatoid arthritis, lower back and leg pain, limb paralysis, dysmenorrhea, and trauma swelling and pain.
