Pigweed, also known as upside-down grass, is a highly invasive weed with strong reproductive ability. Pigweed can cause significant harm to the human body and can lead to the occurrence of diseases such as asthma. Now let's follow the TCM website editor to learn what pigweed looks like.
Picture of pigweed
[The efficacy and function of pigweed]
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that pigweed has the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, diuresis, and clearing heat from the body's surface. It is commonly used for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, injuries from falls, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, edema, damp-heat in the lower body, fever caused by external factors, malaria, sore throat, and abscesses and boils.
1. "Guangxi Materia Medica": "Promotes urination, purifies blood, disinfects. Treats dysentery, throat diseases, injuries from falls, strengthens tendons and bones, stops bleeding, relieves pain, cures beriberi."
2. "Common Chinese Medicinal Herb Manual of the Guangzhou Military Region": "Clears heat, relieves fever, promotes urination. Treats colds with fever, headaches from heat stroke, malaria, urinary calculi, chronic nephritis."
3. "Common Chinese Medicinal Herb Manual of the Guangzhou Air Force": "Clears heat, promotes urination, strengthens tendons, stops bleeding. Treats colds with fever, persistent fever, rheumatoid arthritis, back and leg pain, sore throat, hypertension, kidney edema."
[Pigweed has extremely strong regenerative ability]
The stems, nodes, branches, and roots of pigweed can all grow new roots. After being cut and inserted into the soil, they can form new plants. The aboveground remnants after removal or cutting can still quickly regenerate new shoots. The growth period is uneven and overlapping.
Picture of pigweed
The emergence period starts from late March and lasts until late November, lasting for 7 months. The early and late maturing pigweed have a difference of more than one month in their growth period. This is the direct reason for the irregular growth period and overlapping.
[The toxicity of pigweed]
Various types of pigweed, especially the pollen of large pigweed, can cause great harm to people with allergies and are common allergens. Pollen is light in weight, small in size, can float in the air, and has many fine thorns on its surface, making it easy to attach to the respiratory mucosa.
Pigweed allergy is also a major cause of hay fever. People allergic to pigweed usually experience intense itching, especially in the ears, eyes, and nose, accompanied by runny nose, headaches, and other symptoms.
During the transition between summer and autumn, a large amount of pollen pollutes the atmosphere, causing allergic asthma. Severe pigweed allergy patients may develop emphysema and even death.
Allergies are difficult to cure. What should be done when allergic to pigweed pollen? Pigweed pollen is the root cause of allergies. First, avoid contact with pigweed, pay attention to dietary hygiene, and avoid fish, shrimp, seafood, and spicy foods.
When experiencing pigweed allergy and itching, it is important not to scratch with hands, so as not to worsen the allergic reaction.
