The efficacy and effects of Emilia sonchifolia as a rural wild herb and its differences from dandelion

Emilia sonchifolia, also known as red-backed leaf, is a plant of the genus Emilia in the Asteraceae family. It is commonly found in rural areas and is generally eaten as a wild vegetable. After being dried in the sun, it also has certain medicinal value. So what are the efficacy and effects of Emilia sonchifolia? What is the difference from dandelion?

1. Introduction to Emilia sonchifolia

Emilia sonchifolia, also known as red-backed leaf, sheep's hoof herb, wild wood ear vegetable, huagumao (Guizhou), niunainai, red-headed herb (Yunnan), yexiahong, pianhongqing, red-backed fruit (Hainan), purple-backed herb (Taiwan, China), is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa, Taiwan, China, as well as Sichuan, Hunan, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Guizhou, Hainan, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Hubei and other places in mainland China. The flowers of Emilia sonchifolia are pink or purple, and it grows in areas at an altitude of 800 m to 2100 m, often on field ridges, hillside wasteland or roadsides. It is a plant native to China.

2. Efficacy and effects of Emilia sonchifolia

1. Medicinal value

Effect 1: Taking Emilia sonchifolia decocted in water can prevent colds, and it also has a certain effect on treating colds and fever.

Effect 2: Fresh Emilia sonchifolia pounded for external application and decocted for oral use can treat sore throat, oral ulcers, wind-heat cough, diarrhea, dysentery, painful urination, testicular inflammation, breast abscess, boils, sores and ulcers, and other diseases.

Effect 3: Emilia sonchifolia pounded and applied externally can treat scabies, bruises and injuries, venomous snake bites, etc.

Effect 4: Emilia sonchifolia is cool in nature and bitter with a slightly pungent taste. It can effectively help us clear heat and detoxify, dissipate blood stasis and reduce swelling, and cool the blood. It is also very effective in treating upper respiratory tract infections, acute tonsillitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc.

Usage of Emilia sonchifolia

① Red eye disease

Red eye disease, also known as conjunctivitis, is caused by bacterial or viral infection. Emilia sonchifolia has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, so drinking water decocted from it is effective for red eye disease.

Method: Pick 15-30 g of fresh Emilia sonchifolia, then add an appropriate amount of water and decoct. After it cools, add sugar to taste and drink.

② Sore and swollen throat

Wind-heat colds, internal heat, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis can all cause symptoms of sore and swollen throat. Decocting Emilia sonchifolia with Hedyotis diffusa in water and taking it can clear heat and detoxify, relieve pain, and also has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect.

Method: Take 15-30 g of fresh Emilia sonchifolia and Hedyotis diffusa, then add an appropriate amount of water and decoct, and finally add sugar before drinking.

③ Lung-heat cough

Lung-heat cough is often caused by accumulated heat in the lungs. For this type of disease symptom, drinking water decocted from Emilia sonchifolia can relieve cough and reduce inflammation.

Method: Take 15-30 g of fresh Emilia sonchifolia, then add an appropriate amount of water and decoct, and finally add sugar before drinking.

④ Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria breeding due to poor hygiene. Emilia sonchifolia has a bactericidal effect, so decocting Emilia sonchifolia and Plantago asiatica together in water and taking it can have a bactericidal effect.

Method: Take 15-30 g of fresh Emilia sonchifolia, 50 g of yexiahong, and 50 g of Plantago asiatica, then add an appropriate amount of water and decoct. After decocting, add sugar and take it.

Note: Some folk pharmacies must be taken under the guidance of a doctor. Chinese medicine is only effective when used for the right syndrome and in an appropriate dosage.

2. Edible value

Emilia sonchifolia is non-toxic, so it is a common wild vegetable in rural areas. Its taste is similar to that of garland chrysanthemum, and its texture is crisp. Generally, its tender shoots and young leaves are eaten, and they can be stir-fried, used in soup, or used as hot pot ingredients. Eating a little regularly can also clear heat and detoxify, promote blood circulation and dissipate stasis, but pregnant women should not eat it and should use it with caution.

3. Differences between Emilia sonchifolia and dandelion

Both Emilia sonchifolia and dandelion belong to the Asteraceae family and both have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. The seeds of both have white silky hairs, so they look very similar after fruiting. The biggest differences between the two are in the leaves and flowers:

1. Dandelion leaves grow in a rosette from the base. The leaves are narrow and long, belt-shaped. The flower stem is drawn out from the middle, the stem does not branch, and each stem has only one flower, which is yellow.

2. Emilia sonchifolia leaves grow on the stem, are alternate, and are long ovate or rhombic. The back of the leaf is purplish red. The stem is much branched, and the flowers grow at the top of each branch and are purplish red.

Through the introduction in this article, everyone has also understood the efficacy and effects of Emilia sonchifolia. When you need to use Emilia sonchifolia in daily life, it is best to consult a doctor's advice before consuming it. In addition, the editor would like to remind you that pregnant women need to take Emilia sonchifolia with caution. All medicine has some toxicity, so you must pay more attention in daily life.