Pigweed is a traditional Chinese medicine that is distributed in East China, Central and South China, Southwest China, and Hebei. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting diuresis. It is often used for colds, coughs, dysentery, burns, etc. What is the cultivation technique of pigweed and what are its medicinal effects?
Pigweed
Medicinal Effects of Pigweed
Pigweed, also known as pig hair seven, pig comprehensive grass, iron grass, etc., is the whole plant of the fern plant Dryopteris crassirhizoma. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting diuresis.
It has a therapeutic effect on symptoms such as cold and fever, lung heat cough, damp-heat diarrhea, dysentery, cloudy urine, leukorrhea, breast abscess, scrofula, carbuncle, burns, and snake bites.
Medicinal Value of Pigweed
1. Pediatric urinary stones
Pigweed 6g, Desmodium styracifolium 9g, decocted and taken orally.
Mastitis, poor milk flow: Pigweed 9-15g, decocted and taken orally, with sweet wine as an adjuvant.
2. Pain due to physical exertion
Pigweed 50g, soaked in wine and taken orally.
3. Cough
Pigweed and Plantago asiatica each 15g, decocted and taken orally.
4. Sprains and injuries
Fresh Dryopteris crassirhizoma, crushed and applied externally.
Pigweed
5. Hemoptysis due to lung heat
Pigweed 15g, decocted and taken orally.
6. Acute bronchial asthma
Pigweed 15-30g, Phyllostachys nigra appropriate amount, shrimp appropriate amount, decocted and taken orally.
7. Cold
Pigweed 15g, decocted and taken orally.
Cultivation Technique of Pigweed
1. Selection of suitable flower pots and substrates for pigweed growth
When potted, light-colored glazed pots and clay pots can be used. The potting soil must have good permeability and ventilation. Generally, peat soil or leaf mold rich in humus is used, and about 1/3 of coarse sand and fine sand are added, and some bone meal is added. Some broken tiles or coarse sand should be placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage, and the planting depth of rhizomes is 1.5-2.5 cm.
Pigweed
2. Suitable temperature and light for pigweed growth
Pigweed prefers warm, moist, and semi-shady environments. The suitable temperature for growth is 21-25°C during the day and 12-15°C at night. In winter, it should be placed in a greenhouse. The leaves can still remain green when the temperature is above 5°C, but freezing damage will occur when the temperature is below 5°C. It likes bright diffuse light and is afraid of direct sunlight.
Avoid strong sunlight in midsummer and shade appropriately. Long-term exposure to strong light will cause most of the leaves to turn yellow. It should be placed in a bright place indoors, and it can still grow normally even if it is placed for 1 year.
3. Watering and fertilizing at appropriate times
Pigweed likes a moist environment. It should be fully watered and sprayed with water during the peak growth season. In addition to keeping the potting soil moist, attention should also be paid to maintaining high air humidity. When the air is dry, water should be sprinkled around the plants.
Especially in summer, water should be watered 1-2 times a day. If there is a water shortage, the leaves will shrink. Avoid watering when the potting soil is dry or wet, which can easily cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Apply thin liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a month. When fertilizing, avoid soiling the leaves to prevent leaf rot. Due to pigweed's preference for calcium, an appropriate amount of lime and crushed eggshells should be added to the potting soil, and regular application of calcium fertilizer will have a better effect. Reduce watering and stop fertilizing in winter.
