How much does field thistle cost per jin? A detailed guide to its edible uses and benefits

Field thistle, commonly known among the people as cìjiǎoyá or cìjiǎo, generally grows wild in wastelands, grasslands, mountain forests, roadsides, shrublands, fields, forest edges and beside streams, and is sometimes cultivated artificially for medicinal use. So, how much does field thistle cost per jin? How is it eaten? What effects does it have?

1. How much does field thistle cost per jin?

Field thistle is not expensive as a Chinese herbal medicine; the average market price is generally 5 yuan per jin.

2. How is field thistle eaten?

The roots are harvested in autumn, the stems and leaves removed, then washed and used fresh or sun-dried and cut into sections for use; in spring and summer the young tender whole plant is harvested, washed and used fresh.

Processing: Field thistle: remove impurities, remove the roots, wash with water until thoroughly moistened, cut into sections, and sun-dry. Field thistle charcoal: take clean field thistle, place it in a wok and stir-fry over high heat until it is 70% blackened, but its nature must be preserved, then pass it through an iron wire sieve, spray with clean water, take it out, and sun-dry. After processing, store it in a dry container, keep the field thistle charcoal tightly closed, and place it in a ventilated, dry place.

3. What effects does field thistle have?

Field thistle tastes sweet and slightly bitter, and is cool in nature; it enters the Heart and Liver meridians; it enters the blood and astringes, descending yet slightly rising;

It cools the blood and stops bleeding, clears heat and reduces swelling;

It mainly treats coughing blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, blood in the urine, bloody strangury, and bloody stools. Blood dysentery, excessive uterine bleeding and spotting, traumatic bleeding, and carbuncle swellings and sores.

Other application methods:

1. Blood-heat coughing of blood, nosebleeds, blood in the urine; pound 2 to 4 liang of fresh root or whole plant, squeeze out the juice, mix with honey or rock sugar and stew until hot, then take.

2. Chronic hepatitis with afternoon tidal fever and insomnia: decoct 1 liang of fresh root in water, mix with white sugar and take.

3. Breast carbuncle: pound fresh whole plant with honey and apply externally.

4. Boils: decoct 1 to 2 liang of fresh whole plant in water and take; separately pound fresh root with cold rice and a little table salt and apply externally.