Wild Sorghum is the rhizome or whole plant of the plant "Xipanluo Xin Fu" in the family of tiger-eared grass. It is usually treated as a weed in agriculture. However, what many people don't know is that wild sorghum can not only be used as animal feed but also for making wine and treating injuries. Let's explore the uses of wild sorghum together!
Image of Wild Sorghum
【Benefits and Uses of Wild Sorghum】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that wild sorghum has the effects of invigorating blood circulation, dispelling stasis, eliminating wind and dampness, and relieving pain. It is often used to treat rheumatism, injuries, stomach pain, and weeping eczema.
① "Yunnan Herbal Medicine": "Treat weeping eczema: grind the root of wild sorghum into powder, mix it with sesame oil, and apply it to the affected area."
② "Yunnan Medicinal Plants Directory": "Treat chronic nephritis, injuries, weeping eczema: take an appropriate amount of wild sorghum root, decoct it in water, and take it orally or apply it externally."
③ "National Compilation of Chinese Medicinal Herbs": "Treat injuries, rheumatic pain, chronic nephritis, take 6-12g of the root, decoct and take orally.
Alternatively, take 30g of the root, soak it in 500ml of wine, and take it after 7 days, twice a day, 10ml each time; for weeping eczema with pus, take 9-15g of the root, crush it and mix it with raw sesame oil, then apply it to the affected area."
Wild sorghum is also used in modern clinical treatment for measles, indigestion, gastrointestinal bleeding, post-defecation prolapse, and irregular menstruation.
Image of Wild Sorghum
【Growth Characteristics of Wild Sorghum】
Wild sorghum grows in valleys, along the edges of forests, or in damp areas at altitudes of 900-3200m. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet, and other places.
Wild sorghum is a weed in the family of Poaceae. It easily falls off after maturing and has strong resistance, wide adaptability, and vigorous vitality.
The seeds of wild sorghum have a long dormant period, usually up to 2-3 years. Due to its strong vitality, herbicides are generally ineffective, making it difficult to control.
The whole plant of wild sorghum is wrinkled. The stem is thick and flat-cylindrical, brown to black-brown in color, and has brown glandular trichomes on the surface. The pinnate compound leaves are mostly fragmented, and the intact leaflets are ovate or diamond-shaped elliptical, brown, with heavy serrations on the edges;
Both the petioles of the leaflets and the leaf axis are covered with brown long trichomes. The inflorescence is a panicle, and both the inflorescence axis and the pedicel are covered with brown curled glandular trichomes. The sepals are 4-5, ovate, nearly membranous, and brittle; there are no petals. It has a faint aroma, and tastes pungent and astringent.
Image of Wild Sorghum
【Uses of Wild Sorghum】
Wild sorghum can grow in various types of soil. It is a good feed for pigs. However, as a species, I hope to preserve it, despite being treated as a weed in agriculture.
"Chinese Higher Plants Atlas" states: "The fruit and rhizomes contain starch and can be used for making wine."
"Wild Plant Resources in Hebei" states: the rhizomes contain 40.4% starch.
In areas with abundant resources, the seeds and rhizomes of wild sorghum can be used to extract starch for making wine or processing food, etc.
Avoid letting alpacas eat excessive amounts of green feed during the peak season. If alpacas eat a lot of wild sorghum, maize seedlings, green beans, etc., and drink a large amount of water, they may develop diarrhea, leading to weight loss.
This not only makes alpacas lose weight but also affects the luster of their fur. In severe cases, it can even cause death.
