Datou Chen is a medicinal plant with a one-year life cycle. It blooms in autumn, with flowers forming dense spherical or rectangular heads. What diseases can Datou Chen treat, and what is its habitat distribution status?
Datou Chen
Datou Chen
[Source] Medicinal origin: the whole herb with flowers of Adenosma indianum (Lour.) Merr., a plant in the Asclepiadaceae family.
Latin plant, animal, and mineral name: Adenosma indianum (Lour.) Merr.
[Alias] Qian Chui Cao, Wu Tou Feng, Di Song Cha, Shi Ji, Hei Tou Cao, Shen Qu Cao, Di Song Cha, Shi Ji, Shan Bo He
[Characteristics]
The roots are in a tufted shape, and the aboveground part is hairy. The stem is cylindrical, with branches, 15-60cm long and 0.1-0.3cm in diameter. The surface is brown or dark brown, with fine longitudinal lines, and the nodes are slightly swollen. The texture is slightly tough, and the cross-section is yellowish-white and hollow.
The leaves are opposite, with petioles; the leaf blades often fall off or become wrinkled, broken, and the intact ones are ovate or elongated oval with teeth.
The spike-like flowers are mostly terminal or axillary, spherical or elongated; the calyx is tubular and 5-lobed; the corolla often falls off. The stronger the aroma and taste, the better the quality.
[Collection] Harvesting and storage: Harvest in October when it blooms, cut into sections and dry or use fresh.
Datou Chen
Distribution and Habitat of Datou Chen
Ecological environment: It grows on slopes, wastelands, and grassy areas.
Resource distribution: Distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan.
Main Functions and Indications of Datou Chen
It promotes blood circulation and regulates the middle. It is used to treat headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dermatitis.
① "Lingnan Medicinal Plants": "Promotes blood circulation and treats headaches caused by external factors."
② "Guangdong Traditional Chinese Medicine": "Treats colds, fevers, typhoid fever, heat-related skin toxins, and discomfort caused by changes in water and soil."
③ "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook of the Guangzhou Military": "Aromatizes and dispels turbidity. Treats indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea."
④ "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook of the Guangzhou Air Force": "Treats stomach pain and dermatitis."
Prescriptions for Treating Diseases with Datou Chen
① To treat colds, coughs, fever, headache, indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea: Take 5-10 grams of Datou Chen, decoct and drink. (Guangzhou Military "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook")
② To treat dermatitis: Mash Datou Chen and apply it to the affected area. (Guangzhou Air Force "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook")
