Dujiaogan is the whole herb of the plant Dujiaojin in the Asclepiadaceae family. It is collected and dried in the summer and autumn seasons. What is the specific plant morphology of the plant and where does it grow?
Picture of Dujiaogan
The plant morphology of Dujiaogan
It is an annual herb, 8-15cm tall. The stem is erect, rough or hairy, solitary or slightly branched.
The upper leaves are alternate, linear; the lower leaves are opposite, linear or lanceolate, about 1cm long or shorter, rarely toothed, sometimes degenerate into scales.
The spike-like inflorescence is terminal, with yellow, red or white flowers, sparsely spaced in the lower part and closer in the upper part, without stalks; the bracts are usually longer than the calyx;
The calyx tube is tubular, 5-lobed, usually with 10 ridges; the corolla tube is slender, about 8mm long, curved near the apex, lip-shaped, the upper lip is 2-lobed, the lower lip is 3-lobed, the upper lip is shorter than the lower lip;
There are 4 stamens, hidden inside, with 1-chambered anthers; there is 1 pistil, with a slender style and a club-shaped stigma at the top. The capsule is nearly spherical or elongated, with several seeds. It flowers in July and fruits in August to September.
Distribution of Dujiaogan
It grows in grasslands on plains and hills, often parasitic on the roots of other plants. It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Fujian. It is produced in Guangdong and Guangxi.
Prescriptions for treating diseases with Dujiaogan
① Treats infantile malnutrition and night blindness: Take 3-5 qian (9-15 grams) of Dujiaogan and cook with pig liver. Take once a day. ("Traditional Herbal Medicine in Southern Fujian")
② Treats infantile indigestion: Take 3-5 qian (9-15 grams) of dried Dujiaogan and Scoparia dulcis leaves. Decoct in water and take orally. ("Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in Fujian")
③ Treats night blindness: Take 5 qian to 1 liang (15-30 grams) of dried Dujiaogan. Cook with poultry or livestock liver and take orally. ("Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in Fujian")
Dosage and administration of Dujiaogan
Internal administration: Decoct in water, 2-5 qian (6-15 grams).
