Pigweed is the whole plant of the fern family plant Blechnum orientale or Blechnum spicant. It has the effects of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, dispelling wind, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is mainly produced in most southern parts of China. Let's now learn about the efficacy, functions, and cultivation methods of pigweed.
【Efficacy and Functions of Pigweed】
1. Clearing heat and resolving phlegm
It is used for hot cough and hemoptysis. It can be combined with red root grass and Sanpifeng to treat hot hemoptysis, or combined with skullcap, fishy-smelling herb, and almond to treat hot cough. Pigweed can effectively treat cough with phlegm and improve the symptoms.
2. Dispelling wind and relieving pain
It is used to treat rheumatic joint pain. It can be soaked in alcohol and taken orally.
3. Promoting diuresis and treating stranguria
It is used for hot stranguria, bloody stranguria, urinary tract infections, and urinary stones. It can be combined with gujing grass to treat urinary stones, or combined with cinnabar and iron wire to treat hot stranguria and bloody stranguria. Pigweed can effectively treat diseases of the urinary system and promote diuresis and detoxification.
【Cultivation Methods of Pigweed】
1. Adequate moisture
Pigweed generally requires moist soil. During its growth period, it is important to ensure adequate water supply, especially in dry weather, it is necessary to increase air humidity.
2. Suitable temperature
Pigweed is not very demanding on temperature, but attention should be paid to high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter. In winter, the indoor temperature should be above 5 degrees Celsius, and in summer, it should be kept around 25 degrees Celsius in a shaded and well-ventilated place.
3. Soil requirements
The soil should not be too poor in fertility. Pigweed generally grows in sandy soil rich in humus, but it can also be cultivated with potting soil. Fertilize every month, apply fertilizer to the roots, and repot and change the soil in a timely manner.
【Application Value of Pigweed】
1. Medicinal value
Pigweed can clear heat, detoxify, and eliminate dampness and swelling. It is used for dysentery, scrofula, hot cough, hepatitis, stranguria, snake bites, and injuries from falls.
Pharmacological studies have shown that Blechnum orientale has anti-tumor, anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, immune-regulating, blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects.
Pigweed has a bitter and cool taste and is effective in clearing heat, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. Therefore, it can be used to treat hot cough, hemoptysis, joint pain, cloudy stranguria, sores, and eczema.
2. Horticultural value
Pigweed prefers shade, has strong adaptability, and is easy to cultivate. It is suitable for indoor potted plants for year-round ornamental use.
Small potted plants can be placed on desks and coffee tables, while larger potted plants can be used to decorate window sills, corridors, or living rooms in shady rooms. The leaves of Blechnum orientale are also good for leaf cutting and dried flower materials.
