Grass seed, also known as false cardamom, is the seed of the perennial plant grass seed. Its main use is as a spice. After being harvested in the autumn, it can be dried and used as a seasoning. Let's learn about the benefits and medicinal uses of grass seed!
[Benefits and Uses of Grass Seed]
1. Promotes digestion and strengthens the stomach
Grass seed contains natural aromatic substances and various amino acids. When consumed, it can promote the secretion of digestive juices and improve digestion. It can effectively enhance the body's digestive ability and reduce symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and weak spleen and stomach.
2. Increases appetite
When people have poor appetite, they can eat dishes made with grass seed. The aromatic substances in grass seed can stimulate the appetite and help with digestion.
In addition, grass seed has a mild nature and excellent ability to dispel cold. When experiencing stomach cold and pain, consuming a moderate amount of grass seed can quickly alleviate the symptoms.
[Identification of Grass Seed]
The leaves of grass seed are lanceolate, 22-50 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. They have a gradually pointed and curled tail-like tip, and a narrowing base. Both sides of the leaves are hairless. The leaves are either stalkless or have a pseudostalk due to the narrowing base.
The capsule is elliptical, ovate, or olive-shaped, 1.5-3 cm long and 1-2 cm in diameter. It is yellow-brown or reddish-brown, with slightly pointed ends, thick skin without thorns, protruding longitudinal ridges, and cracked dark brown surface, exposing the seeds.
The seeds are irregularly polyhedral, gray-brown or brownish-brown in color, with a white false seed coat. They have a stalk. They have a slight aroma and a slightly spicy taste.
The fruit is spherical, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, with a surface that is earthy yellow to light brown. It has a nearly cylindrical calyx at the top and a fruit stalk or stalk scar at the base. The fruit skin is smooth and easily broken, containing seed clusters. It has a fragrant aroma and a spicy and cool taste.
[Medicinal Value of Grass Seed]
1. Treats stomach cold with abdominal pain, vomiting, pale lips and tongue, clear saliva, and loss of appetite (equivalent to some types of acute gastritis and peptic ulcers)
Take 6g of grass seed, and combine it with 6g of Wu Zhu Yu, Yan Hu Suo, Gao Liang Jiang, and Xiang Fu. Boil with water and drink. It has the effects of dispelling cold, relieving pain, and stopping vomiting.
2. Treats prolonged diarrhea with deficiency and cold (chronic bacterial dysentery, chronic colitis)
Use stewed grass seed, combined with stewed Mu Xiang and stewed He Zi, in a formula such as Cao Dou Kou Tang.
Dosage: 1-2g, better to be taken in pill or powder form.
Prescription example: Cao Dou Kou Tang: Stewed grass seed 3g, stewed Mu Xiang 3g, stewed He Zi 2.4g, Tian Qi 9g, Huo Tan Mu 9g, boil with water and drink.
