Sugar Mustard is the whole plant or seeds of the Brassica juncea, a cruciferous plant. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, diuresis, and strengthening the heart. It is used for spleen and stomach disharmony, and indigestion. What are the morphological characteristics of sugar mustard as a Chinese medicine, and what is its medicinal part?
Morphological Characteristics of Sugar Mustard
A one or two-year herbaceous plant, 30-60 cm tall, densely covered with appressed 2-forked hairs; stem erect, unbranched or branched in the upper part, with angular edges.
Leaves lanceolate or elongated oval, basal leaves 5-15 cm long, 5-20 mm wide, acute apex, gradually narrowing at the base, entire margin, with 2-forked hairs on both sides;
Petioles 1.5-2 cm long; upper leaves with short petioles or no petioles, near the stem base, with wavy teeth or nearly entire margin.
Inflorescences in a corymbose raceme, with numerous flowers; sepals elongated oval, 5-7 mm long, covered with 2-forked hairs, white membranous margin;
Petals orange-yellow, inverted lanceolate, 10-14 mm long, with fine veins, rounded apex, long claw at the base; stamens 6, nearly equal in length.
Siliques linear, 4.5-8.5 cm long, about 1 mm wide, slightly tetragonal, style about 1 mm long, stigma 2-lobed, lobes with prominent midribs;
Fruit stalks 5-7 mm long, obliquely spreading. Seeds in a single row per locule, elongated oval, flattened on the sides, 1-1.5 mm long, deep reddish-brown. Flowering period is from June to August, and fruiting period is from July to September.
Medicinal Parts of Sugar Mustard
The whole plant or seeds.
Medicinal Characteristics of Sugar Mustard
The stem can reach up to 60 cm in length, unbranched or branched in the upper part, with angular edges, densely covered with appressed 2-forked hairs.
The leaves are wrinkled and shriveled, lanceolate or elongated oval when flattened, basal leaves 5-15 cm long, 0.5-2 cm wide, entire margin, with appressed 2-forked hairs on both sides.
The flowers have a diameter of about 1 cm; the petals are orange-yellow and round. It has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste. The seeds are elongated oval, flattened on the sides, about 2.5 mm long, deep reddish-brown. It has a slight odor and a mild taste.
