Maranta belongs to the perennial herbaceous plant, which is the whole plant or root of the plant Maranta arundinacea in the family Marantaceae. Its leaves are opposite, with a thick leathery surface that can prevent water loss. The shape of the leaves resembles a saddle, hence the name "Maranta". Maranta has the effect of dispelling wind and dampness, resolving abscesses and masses. It is mainly used to treat rheumatic pain, abscesses, breast abscesses, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. It mostly grows on slopes near the sea, beaches, or ditches by the sea.
【Morphology of the Plant】
Maranta is a perennial herbaceous plant. The whole plant is hairless. The stem is prostrate and sometimes twining. The leaves are opposite, with a long petiole. The leaf blade is fleshy, becoming thick and papery when dry. It is ovate to lanceolate, with a slightly notched apex that splits into 2 lobes. The lobes are round and shallow or deep, sometimes with small pointed protrusions. There is one gland on each side of the midrib near the base on the back. There are 8-10 lateral veins. The inflorescence is a dichasial cyme, sometimes with only one flower developing. The peduncle of the inflorescence is thick and stout. The bracts are small and broadly triangular, falling off early. There are 5 sepals, thick and papery, ovate in shape, with slightly longer inner sepals. The corolla is purple or deep red, funnel-shaped, with five shallow lobes at the apex. There are 5 unequal stamens. Both the stamens and the pistil are hidden inside. The fruit is spherical, with a leathery pericarp that splits into four segments. The seeds are triangular and round, about 7-8 millimeters long, covered with brownish hairs. The flowering period is almost throughout the year, with the most abundant flowering in summer and autumn.
【Distribution and Habitat】
Maranta prefers a high-temperature, dry, and sunny environment. It has good salt tolerance, wind resistance, and drought resistance, but is slightly less cold-resistant and shade-tolerant. It mostly grows on sandy beaches and sunny roadsides. It is found on slopes near the sea, riverbanks, beaches, or ditches. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi.
【Properties and Functions】
Maranta has a pungent and bitter taste, with a slightly cold nature. It has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, and resolving abscesses and masses. It is mainly used to treat rheumatic pain, abscesses, breast abscesses, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. In Thai folk medicine, it is used to treat skin inflammation caused by jellyfish and sea anemone stings, showing good detoxification effects.
For oral administration, the fresh herb is taken at a dose of 30-60 grams. For external use, an appropriate amount is used.
【Selected Prescriptions and Applications】
(1) Treatment of arthritis
1. Take 65 grams of Maranta and decoct it with equal amounts of wine and water.
2. Take 60 grams of Maranta. Boil it with pork ribs and drink the soup and eat the meat. Alternatively, take 60 grams of Maranta root, steam it with pig trotters, and drink the soup and eat the meat. (From "Chaozhou Folk Recipes")
(2) Treatment of abscesses, boils, and unknown swellings
Take 30-60 grams of Maranta, wash it, and decoct it with red sugar for oral administration.
(3) Treatment of lower back pain
Take 45 grams of Maranta, boil it with pig tail bones, and drink the soup and eat the meat. (From "Chaozhou Herbal Recipes")
(4) Treatment of hemorrhoids with bleeding
Take 30 grams of Dioscorea opposita leaves and 500 grams of pig large intestines. Stew and take orally. (From "Quanzhou Materia Medica")
