Cypress Leaf, a Chinese medicinal herb, is the branch and leaf of the cypress tree of the cypress family. It grows on hillsides, along highways, ancient tombs, temples, and other places where it is commonly cultivated. It is distributed in most parts of the country. Cypress leaves are mainly used to treat hematemesis, bloody dysentery, hemorrhoids, and burns.
【Original Form of Cypress Leaf】
The cypress tree, also known as Xiangbai in "San Fu Old Story", is also called Xiangbianbai, Chuishibai, Saoboubai, Baimushu, Mimisong, Xianbai, Chuibai, Baiqingshu, and Songbai.
It is an evergreen tree that can reach a height of up to 20 meters and a diameter of up to 1 meter. The bark is smooth and grayish-brown, and the branches droop. The leaves are scale-like, alternate and opposite, tightly attached to the branches, triangular-ovate in shape, and linear or conical when growing on young or old branches of vigorous trees, with 3 or 4 whorls that are wide-spreading, slightly open at the long pointed apex. The flowers are small, unisexual, and borne on the same plant.
The male inflorescence is yellowish, elliptical, and usually has 8 stamens. The cone is woody, spherical, with a short stalk, 8-12 mm in diameter, brown, and has 8 shield-shaped scales arranged in a clasping manner, with short pointed protuberances on the back of each scale and 3 seeds per scale. The seeds are ovoid with slight wings. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from June to September.
【Characteristics of Cypress Leaves】
Cypress leaves are branch-like. The leaves are small, scale-like, with sharp tips, closely attached to the twigs, but on larger branches, the leaf tips are not closely attached and protrude like thorns. The leaf surface is yellow-green or grayish-green, and the twigs are brown. The texture is brittle and easily breaks. It has a mild scent and a bitter taste.
【Nature and Flavor】
① "Pharmacological Classification of Chinese Herbs": "Bitter and astringent."
② "Chongqing Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Bitter and pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic."
