The Chinese herb "Dishao Gua" grows on slopes, sand dunes, dry valleys, wastelands, and fields at an altitude of 200-2000m. It is distributed in Northeast China, North China, Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Gansu, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, and other regions. It is mainly used to treat excessive internal fire, sore throat, fatigue and forgetfulness, restlessness and thirst, dizziness and insomnia, and postpartum weakness and insufficient milk production.
Image of Dishao Gua
【Properties and Channels】
Dishao Gua has a sweet taste and a cool nature. It belongs to the Lung meridian.
【Functions and Effects of Dishao Gua】
In traditional Chinese medicine, Dishao Gua is believed to have the functions of clearing excessive internal fire, nourishing qi, generating body fluids, and promoting lactation. It is used to treat excessive internal fire and sore throat; deficiency of qi and yin, fatigue and forgetfulness, restlessness and thirst, dizziness and insomnia; and postpartum weakness and insufficient milk production.
1. "Inner Mongolia Herbal Medicine": "Clears heat, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes lactation. It is used to treat insufficient milk production and sore throat."
2. "Qingdao Herbal Medicine Manual": "Used to treat deficiency of qi and blood, neurasthenia, and throat swelling and pain."
3. "National Compilation of Chinese Herbs": "Nourishes qi, promotes lactation. It is used to treat weakness of the body and insufficient milk production. It can also be used externally to treat warts."
【Morphology of Dishao Gua】
1. Dishao Gua
The stem branches from the base. The leaves are opposite or nearly opposite; leaf blades are linear, 3-5cm long and 2-5mm wide, with raised midvein on the lower surface. The umbel inflorescence is axillary; the calyx is covered with soft hairs on the outside.
The corolla is green and white; the corolla lobes are cup-shaped, triangular-lanceolate, gradually closing, and taller than the membrane of the ovary. The fruit is spindle-shaped, gradually pointed at the apex, swollen in the middle, 5-6cm long and about 2cm in diameter.
The seeds are flat, dark brown, up to 8mm long, and covered with white silky hairs, up to 2cm long. The flowering period of Dishao Gua is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
2. Que Piao
Similar to the original species, the stem is weak, with fewer branches, and the stem end usually elongates and twines. The leaves are linear or linear-ovate; the flowers are smaller and more numerous. The flowering period is from March to August, and the fruiting period is from May to October.
