Chinese herbal medicine Wu Xiang Cao is distributed in Suzhou, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and eastern Jiangxi. It has the effects of relieving heat and dispersing cold, regulating qi and alleviating pain. It is used for colds, heatstroke, scrofula, gastric pain, sore throat, boils, and centipede bites.
Image of Wu Xiang Cao
【Effects and Uses of Wu Xiang Cao】
Chinese medicine believes that Wu Xiang Cao has the effects of relieving heat, regulating qi, and alleviating pain, and it is mainly used to treat colds, tonsillitis, scrofula, abdominal pain, and gastric pain.
1. "Folk Medicinal Herbs of Zhejiang": "Opens the chest and regulates qi. Treats gastric pain and scrofula."
2. "Hangzhou Medicinal Plants Chronicle": "Treats colds and vomiting blood."
3. "Commonly Used Folk Medicinal Herbs in Zhejiang": "Detoxifies and reduces inflammation, diuretic and analgesic. Treats heatstroke, colds, and stomach pain."
【Medicinal Characteristics of Wu Xiang Cao】
Wu Xiang Cao is an annual aromatic herb, 30-40 cm tall, with many branches. The stem is square-shaped, sparsely covered with short soft hairs, and has a gray-green to purple surface with downward soft hairs, giving it a velvety texture.
The leaves are opposite, lanceolate, 2-3 cm long, 5-8 mm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, and wedge-shaped at the base. They have sparse serrations, smooth upper surface, and glandular dots on the lower surface. The petiole is 5 mm long.
The sparsely arranged cymose inflorescence is terminal. The bracts are very small, nearly circular, with short pointed tips. The flowers are about 6 mm long, with bell-shaped calyx divided into 5 lobes and covered with short hairs.
The small nut is brown, round, reticulated, and has small glandular dots, with a distinct navel at the base. Flowering period is from September to October, and fruiting period is from October to November.
