Planting techniques and cultivation management key points for the Chinese medicinal herb Wu Zhuyu (Evodia rutaecarpa)
Wu Zhuyu (Evodia rutaecarpa) is a bitter stomachic and analgesic, also known as Wu Yu, Cha La, Qi La Zi, Chou La Zi Shu, Mi La Zi, etc. It is a small tree or shrub of the genus Evodia in the Rutaceae family, cultivated to a small or large extent throughout areas south of the Qinling Mountains, growing in open forests or thickets from flat ground up to 1500 m elevation in mountainous areas, mostly on sunny slopes
Wu Zhuyu (Evodia rutaecarpa) is a bitter stomachic and analgesic, also known as Wu Yu, Cha La, Qi La Zi, Chou La Zi Shu, Mi La Zi, etc. It is a small tree or shrub of the genus Evodia in the Rutaceae family, cultivated to a small or large extent throughout areas south of the Qinling Mountains, growing in open forests or thickets from flat ground up to 1500 m elevation in mountainous areas, mostly on sunny slopes. Let us take a look at the planting techniques for Wu Zhuyu!
Growth habits of Wu Zhuyu
Wu Zhuyu is produced throughout areas south of the Qinling Mountains, but no natural distribution has been seen in Hainan; it was once introduced for cultivation there but grew poorly. It has no strict soil requirements and can generally be planted on hillside land, plains, around houses, and along roadsides. It can grow in neutral, slightly alkaline, or slightly acidic soil, but for seedbeds, loam or sandy loam with deep, relatively fertile soil and good drainage is especially preferred; low-lying waterlogged land is not suitable for planting.
Propagation methods of Wu Zhuyu
1. Root cutting propagation: Select a single 4-6 year old mother plant with a well-developed root system and vigorous, thick, superior growth. In early February, dig out the soil around the mother plant's root zone, cut off lateral roots the thickness of chopsticks, and cut them into 15 cm segments. On a prepared seedbed, open furrows at 15 cm row spacing, and at 10 cm plant spacing insert the roots diagonally into the soil with the upper end slightly exposed above the soil surface. Cover with soil and press down lightly, water with diluted manure slurry, then cover with straw. New shoots will grow in about 2 months, and the following spring or winter they can be lifted from the nursery for field planting.
2. Stem cutting propagation: Select 1-2 year old healthy, pest-free branches, take the middle section in February and cut into 20 cm cuttings. Each cutting must retain 3 buds, and the lower end near a node should be cut into a slant. Insert the lower end of the cutting into a 1 ml/L indolebutyric acid solution, soak for half an hour, then remove and insert into the seedbed. The insertion depth should be about 2/3 of the cutting length. Cover with soil and press firm, water, and shade. Roots generally form in 1-2 months, and transplanting can be done the second year.
3. Tillering propagation: Wu Zhuyu readily propagates by tillering. Each winter, at 50 cm from the mother plant, dig out the lateral roots, cut and wound the cortex every 10 cm, then cover with soil, apply fertilizer, and cover with straw. The following spring, many root-sucker seedlings will emerge; remove the straw cover, and when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, separate and transplant them.
Planting techniques for Wu Zhuyu
1. Site selection and land preparation: Wu Zhuyu has no strict soil requirements and can generally be planted on hillside land, plains, around houses, and along roadsides. Apply 2000-3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu as base fertilizer, deep-plow and sun-expose for several days, break up the soil and rake it level, then make raised beds 1-13 m wide.
2. Timely transplanting: Transplant in winter or spring, with winter transplanting being better (around December). In spring (March-April), dig holes at 330-400 cm spacing between plants and rows, with a diameter of 50-60 cm; the depth depends on the length of the roots. First apply decomposed stable manure or river mud as base fertilizer, then plant the seedlings, cover with soil, and press firm. When the seedlings are small at first, they can be intercropped or relay-cropped with peanuts, beans, sweet potatoes, etc.
3. Field management: Carry out timely cultivation and weeding and keep the soil moist. Before spring sprouting, apply decomposed human waste once; the amount depends on tree age. For a three-year-old tree, apply 10-25 kg of human waste per plant in a ring-shaped shallow furrow about 48 cm from the plant, then cover with soil. Before flowering and fruiting in July, apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once. In winter, apply compost (or river mud, human waste), plant ash, etc. once, and earth up to protect against freezing.
4. Pruning and shaping: When the young tree is 80-100 cm tall, cut off the top shoot of the main trunk to encourage sprouting. Among the lateral branches growing in all directions, select and retain 3-4 healthy branches and train them as main branches. In the second summer, select and retain 3-4 well-developed branches in the leaf axils of the main branches and train them as secondary main branches; later, side branches are produced on the main branches. After several years of shaping and pruning, form a high-yielding tree shape of the natural open-center type with a round exterior and hollow interior, an open canopy, good ventilation and light penetration, and a short trunk and low crown. After 3-4 years, it enters the full fruiting stage.
Pest and disease control of Wu Zhuyu
1. Sooty mold
[Symptoms] Sooty mold, also known as sooty blotch, is induced by damage from aphids and scale insects on Wu Zhuyu, causing irregular dark brown sooty patches. In later stages, leaves and branches are covered with a thick layer of soot, and diseased trees bear few flowers and fruits.
[Control] During outbreaks of aphids and scale insects, spray 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate diluted 2000-3000 times, or 25% phosmet 800-1000 times solution, once every 7 days for 2-3 consecutive applications. During the disease period, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:0.5:150-200, once every 10-14 days for 2-3 consecutive applications.
2. Rust disease
[Symptoms] Rust disease mainly harms the leaves of Wu Zhuyu. In the early stage of the disease, nearly round, inconspicuous yellow-green small spots and orange-yellow blister-like spots form on the leaves, causing the leaves to wither and die.
[Control] Spray 0.3 degree Baume lime sulfur mixture or 65% zineb wettable powder 500 times solution, once every 7-10 days.
3. Longhorn beetle larvae
[Symptoms] The larvae bore and feed inside the trunk, causing the stem to become hollow and die. From July to October, on the main trunk below 30 cm above the ground, gelatinous secretions, wood shavings, and insect frass appear.
[Control] Use a small knife to scrape off egg masses and newly hatched insects. If larvae have bored into the wood, pour wettable benzene hexachloride powder 50 times solution into the bore hole, or insert cotton soaked in 80% dichlorvos stock solution into the bore hole and seal the opening to kill the larvae.
Dendrobium orchid Dendrobium nobile illustrated guide: how to grow Dendrobium orchid / how to propagate Dendrobium orchid
Dendrobium orchid profileDendrobium orchid Dendrobium nobile
Cultivation methods and precautions for Dendrobium orchid, introduction to Dendrobium orchid
Dendrobium, one of the orchids in the Orchidaceae family, is mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. In China, it is mostly distributed in the southwest, south China, Taiwan, and other places. The main varieties of Dendrobium orchid include Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, etc. It can be used as medicine, called Shihu, and has effects such as clearing deficiency heat and strengthening essence and yin. With the rise of the flower industry, Dendrobium orchid has also become an ornamental plant. The cultivation method for Dendrobium orchid is generally pot cultivation. Because Dendrobium orchid has a strong yet gentle and approachable character, it is known as the flower of fathers. The plant of Dendrobium orchid is composed of fleshy stems, as thick as a middle finger, with leaves like bamboo leaves. The flower scape emerges from the leaf axils, each scape bearing seven or eight flowers, each flower with 6 petals spreading in all directions, with purple petal edges and a white center.
Dendrobium, one of the orchids in the Orchidaceae family, has effects on the human body such as clearing deficiency heat and strengthening essence and yin. With the rise of the flower industry, people discovered its high ornamental value, so it was classified into the category of tropical orchids and gradually moved from herbal gardens into large flower gardens, becoming a very fashionable new flower today. The plant of Dendrobium orchid is composed of fleshy stems, as thick as a middle finger, club-shaped and clustered, with leaves like bamboo leaves, opposite on both sides of the stem nodes. The flower scape emerges from the leaf axils, each scape bearing seven or eight flowers, with some bearing more than 20, in a raceme, each flower with 6 petals spreading in all directions, and the middle lip slightly rounded. Many varieties have purple petal edges and white centers, while a few varieties are yellow or orange.
Dendrobium is the largest genus in the Orchidaceae family, including about 1100 species of plants, mainly distributed in tropical Asia and the Pacific islands. China has about 63 species of Dendrobium plants, of which 39 species are used medicinally. Vertically, they are distributed from 100 to 3000 m elevation.
Dendrobium plants are epiphytes with unique habitats and very strict requirements for microclimate environments. They mostly grow on warm, cool, humid shaded slopes or semi-shaded slopes on slightly acidic rocky cliffs, in clustered distribution, with trees above providing lateral shade and stream gullies below providing water sources. In winter and spring they tolerate drought slightly, but when severely short of water the leaves often all fall off and the bare stems pass through the unfavorable environment, then sprout leaves and branches again in the warm season. They often grow mixed with lichens, mosses, and plants such as Lemmaphyllum carnosum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Selaginella, and Bulbophyllum.
Dendrobium attaches to rock walls and gravel with its dense fibrous roots to absorb water and nutrients from the rock layer, while the fibrous roots exposed in the air absorb water from fog and dew in the air and rely on their own chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Therefore, Dendrobium is strictly limited by moisture in the microclimate environment, especially air humidity, and its distribution range is extremely narrow. Wild Dendrobium is a rare and endangered plant under national key second-class protection, and collection and sale are prohibited.
Dendrobium varieties include Huoshan Mishu, Jinchai Fengdou, Tiepi Fengdou, Tongpi Fengdou, Huangcao Shihu, etc. Huoshan Mishu is the only Dendrobium variety recorded in literature. Dendrobium nobile is one of the earliest recorded orchids in ancient Chinese literature. It was recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing more than 2000 years ago. For a thousand years it has been listed, along with lingzhi, ginseng, and cordyceps, as a top-grade Chinese medicine. Its nature and flavor: sweet and bland, slightly salty. Its nature is clear and moistening, with tonification within clearing and clearing within tonification.
The character "hu" in Dendrobium orchid is pronounced "hu" in Mandarin and "ku, huo, hu" in Cantonese. It was formerly a measuring vessel, with five dou making one hu. The ancients used Dendrobium orchid as a medicinal material. According to the Bencao Beizhi, it has effects on the human body such as clearing deficiency heat and strengthening essence and yin. For example, "Shihu Yeguang Wan" is made from "Dendrobium beautiful flower" and other ingredients, and has long been exported at home and abroad. With the rise of the flower industry, people discovered its high ornamental value.
The flower form of Dendrobium orchid is indeed very beautiful. The plant is composed of fleshy stems. At present, the new variety named after the former French President "Pompidou" is the most precious. Its characteristics are larger flower shape and bright purple petal color with a velvet-like texture, often making people mistake it for an artificial flower, and it is in great demand on the international flower market. Dendrobium orchid, together with Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, and Vanda, is listed as one of the four major tropical ornamental orchid groups, and is one of the largest genera in the Orchidaceae family.
Morphological characteristics of Dendrobium orchid
Stem erect, fleshy and thickened, slightly flattened cylindrical, 10-60 cm long, up to 1.3 cm thick, more or less recurved and bent in the upper part, distinctly narrowed at the base, unbranched, with many nodes, nodes sometimes slightly swollen; internodes more or less obconical, 2-4 cm long, golden yellow when dry. Leaves leathery, oblong, 6-11 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, apex obtuse and unequally 2-lobed, base with a stem-clasping sheath. Raceme emerging from the middle or upper part of leafy or leafless old stems, 2-4 cm long, with 1-4 flowers; peduncle 5-15 mm long, base covered with several tubular sheaths; floral bracts membranous, ovate-lanceolate, 6-13 mm long, apex acuminate; pedicel and ovary pale purple, 3-6 mm long; flowers large, white with pale purple apex, sometimes entirely pale purplish red, or all white except for 1 purplish red blotch on the lip disk; dorsal sepal oblong, 2.5-3.5 cm long, 1-1.4 cm wide, apex obtuse, base with purplish red stripes on both sides and narrowed into a short claw, both sides below the middle enclosing the column, margins with short cilia, both surfaces densely covered with short hairs; lip disk with 1 large purplish red blotch in the center; column green, 5 mm long, slightly enlarged at the base, with a green column foot; anther cap purplish red, conical, densely covered with fine papillae, front margin with irregular sharp teeth. Flowering period April-May.
Stem
Dendrobium orchid grows epiphytically on tree trunks or in tree holes, and its flower colors are very diverse, but mainly white and red-purple. It has good cold resistance and is the most cold-tolerant tropical orchid. Observing the stem of Dendrobium orchid, you will find that its stem is somewhat "club-shaped," like a stick, and belongs to a pseudobulb. Stems have growth forms such as rhizomatous, erect, creeping, or with pseudobulbs.
Leaves
Leaves range from one to many.
Flowers
Flowers bright and showy, petals usually relatively narrow, lip entire or three-lobed, connected to the base of the column.
Fruit
Dendrobium orchid is a large group in the Orchidaceae family. It has more than a thousand native species, with various plant forms and flower shapes. Distributed in most parts of Asia, it is a robust epiphytic orchid.
Characteristics
Stems have growth forms such as rhizomatous, erect, creeping, or with pseudobulbs. Leaves range from one to many. Flowers are bright and showy, petals are usually relatively narrow, and the lip is entire or three-lobed, connected to the base of the column. Pseudobulbs are cylindrical, clustered, up to 60-70 cm tall, fleshy and solid, the base covered by gray basal sheaths, with obvious stem nodes on which several pairs of boat-shaped leaves are borne at the upper nodes, leaves 10-20 cm long. Peduncles emerge from the leaf axils at the top, up to 60 cm long, and each peduncle can produce 4-18 flowers.
Other
Dendrobium orchids are usually divided into two major categories, spring and autumn. As the names suggest, spring Dendrobium blooms in spring, while autumn Dendrobium blooms in autumn; in addition, there are still quite a large number of native Dendrobium orchid species.
There are countless Dendrobium hybrids on the market, and they are simple and easy to cultivate and flower. Overall, the cultivation medium for Dendrobium orchid uses tree fern fiber plus some construction gravel, placed in a location with ample sunlight, avoiding the strong midday sun (shade for about two hours before and after noon). From spring to autumn, water once a day or every other day. In winter when it is cold, watering about once every one or two weeks is sufficient. If you want to fertilize, you can buy granular chemical fertilizer and place 5-10 granules, or buy liquid chemical fertilizer and spray at an average concentration of one-thousandth once a month. Most Dendrobium orchids will drop their leaves in winter. In principle, orchids that have been grown for two years should have their medium replaced in spring to avoid the medium becoming rotten and acidic over time; at the same time, repotting can also promote vigorous plant growth and better stimulate flowering.
Ecological habits of Dendrobium orchid
Often epiphytic on tree trunks or rocks in forests at 480-1700 m elevation. Prefers warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments, and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable growth temperature is 18-30°C, with 16-21°C being more suitable during the growing period, 16-18°C during the dormant period, and a nighttime temperature of 10-13°C; a temperature difference of 10-15°C is optimal. Daytime temperatures above 30°C have little effect on Dendrobium growth, and winter temperatures should not be lower than 10°C. Seedlings are easily frosted below 10°C.
Dendrobium dislikes dryness and fears waterlogging, especially requiring sufficient water from the beginning of new bud sprouting to the formation of new roots. However, if it is too wet, especially when encountering low temperatures, it is very easy to cause rot. When the weather is clear, dry, and hot, in addition to watering, spray more water on the ground to maintain relatively high air humidity. Evergreen Dendrobium types can maintain sufficient water in winter, but deciduous Dendrobium types can be kept appropriately dry while maintaining relatively high air humidity.
Dendrobium grows wild in forests, but in cultivation it is still relatively light-loving. In summer and autumn, 50% shading is suitable, and in winter and spring, 30% shading is suitable. If light is too strong, the stems will swell and turn yellow, and the leaves will be yellow-green. However, sufficient sunlight results in good autumn flowering and a large number of flowers.
The soil should use well-drained, breathable crushed fern roots, sphagnum moss, charcoal chips, broken tile pieces, perlite, etc., mainly crushed fern roots and sphagnum moss.
Dendrobium is the largest genus in the Orchidaceae family, including about 1500 species of plants, mainly distributed in tropical Asia and the Pacific islands. China has about 63 species of Dendrobium plants, of which 39 species are used medicinally. Domestic Dendrobium is distributed south of the Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River. In terms of latitude, most species are concentrated between 15°30′ and 25°12′ N, with the number of species gradually decreasing northward, and the northernmost limit not exceeding 34°24′ N. Vertically, they are distributed from 100 to 3000 m elevation. Dendrobium plants are a group that developed from the tropical Southeast Asian center toward subtropical climatic conditions. Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, and Taiwan in China are the distribution centers of this genus in the country.
Dendrobium plants are epiphytes with unique habitats and very strict requirements for microclimate environments. They mostly grow on warm, cool, humid shaded slopes or semi-shaded slopes on slightly acidic rocky cliffs, in clustered distribution, with trees above providing lateral shade and stream gullies below providing water sources. In winter and spring they tolerate drought slightly, but when severely short of water the leaves often all fall off and the bare stems pass through the unfavorable environment, then sprout leaves and branches again in the warm season. They often grow mixed with lichens, mosses, and plants such as Lemmaphyllum carnosum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Selaginella, and Bulbophyllum. Dendrobium attaches to rock walls and gravel with its dense fibrous roots to absorb water and nutrients from the rock layer, while the fibrous roots exposed in the air absorb water from fog and dew in the air and rely on their own chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Therefore, Dendrobium is strictly limited by moisture in the microclimate environment, especially air humidity, and its distribution range is extremely narrow.
Cultivation techniques for Dendrobium orchid: field shade-shed planting method
Choose a relatively shady and humid place, build a rectangular raised bed 9 cm high with stones to prevent rainwater from washing away the bed soil. Fill the bed with humus, break up and level the soil, and build a 2 m high shed over the bed, hanging grass curtains on the south side to prevent scorching sunlight. Then divide and plant the Dendrobium in the bed, cover with 2 cm of fine soil, and press firm with small pebbles. To speed up propagation, plant Dendrobium upright at 15 cm × 20 cm row and plant spacing, exposing only the tips above the soil surface. When new buds and white aerial roots sprout on the cut stems, dig them out and lay them in rows on the bed, press them onto the soil surface with small stones, cover with 0.5 cm of fine soil, and when the new plants grow to 5 cm tall they can be divided and transplanted.
Rock planting method
Choose relatively shady and damp rocks on which moss grows, dig a bed 18 cm deep and 1.5 m wide, place the rocks properly, then place divided Dendrobium in the depressions of the rocks or fix them in rock crevices, and paste soil from moss, cow dung, and bean dregs around the roots to ensure sufficient nutrients for Dendrobium growth.
Tree-attaching method
Attach and plant in early spring or autumn. Choose broadleaf trees with thick trunks and more moisture, such as Catalpa ovata, Phoebe zhennan, Pterocarya stenoptera, Ginkgo biloba, pear trees, etc., for attachment planting. Select healthy, root-rich Dendrobium clumps with green stems, cut off dead stems, broken branches, and old stems, cut overly long fibrous roots to 1.5 cm long, divide large Dendrobium plants, keeping 5 leafy young stems per clump, choose a flat or concave spot on the trunk, cut a shallow notch with a knife, press the base of the Dendrobium clump tightly against the notch, and secure it firmly with bamboo nails. If attaching to a more protruding part of the trunk, first cut it flat with a knife and then nail it, and bind it firmly with bamboo splits or rope. Dead and rotten branches and bark areas must not be used for attachment planting. After fixing, mix cow dung, bean dregs, and other fertilizers into fertilized mud and apply it to the Dendrobium roots and the bark around the roots (be sure not to paste it on the base of the Dendrobium stems) to meet growth needs. The number of attached plants depends on the size of the trunk and the number of branches. Each tree can carry from several clumps to several hundred clumps.
Care methods
Potted Dendrobium needs lightweight, well-drained, breathable soil such as peat moss, fern roots, bark chunks, and charcoal. At the same time, place more tile pieces or crushed brick bits at the bottom of the pot to facilitate root development.
Light requirements of Dendrobium
The cultivation site must have sufficient light and maintain ventilation. This is more favorable for Dendrobium growth and flowering.
Water requirements of Dendrobium
During the spring and summer growing period, water thoroughly to accelerate pseudobulb growth. After September, gradually reduce watering so that the pseudobulbs gradually mature, which can promote flowering. Dendrobium orchid has relatively high requirements for air humidity. In the pot, maintaining moisture is the best state. During the vigorous growing period, the pot must not accumulate water, otherwise it is prone to rot. You can often spray water on the surrounding ground to increase air humidity.
Fertilizer requirements of Dendrobium
Apply fertilizer once every ten days during the growing period, and reduce fertilization in autumn. When fertilizing Dendrobium orchid, be sure not to apply concentrated fertilizer. You can adjust the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium according to the growth stage, and apply by foliar spraying or root drenching. Generally, do it once a week until the pseudobulbs mature and the winter dormant period, when fertilization is completely stopped.
Time for repotting Dendrobium
For Dendrobium cultivated for more than 2-3 years, the plants become crowded, the roots fill the pot, and the potting material has rotted, so it should be replaced in time. Whether evergreen or deciduous Dendrobium, repot after flowering. When repotting, damage the roots as little as possible, otherwise the leaves will yellow and fall off when encountering low temperatures.
Propagation methods of Dendrobium orchid: division method
After flowering, take the mother plant out of the pot. Generally, one pot can be divided into 2-3 clumps, and each clump should have 3-4 old branches. This is beneficial for flowering. Wash the roots and dry them slightly in the shade, then plant them in a wooden frame or a pot with holes on all four sides. The cultivation medium should be made from breathable and well-drained fern roots, sphagnum moss, pine bark, coarse river sand, etc. Do not use mixed soil with high fertility and stickiness. The drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be slightly larger, and some charcoal and ceramsite should be placed there to facilitate drainage. After planting, spread white stones or Selaginella uncinata on the pot surface to retain moisture and keep it clean. After watering thoroughly, place it in a semi-shaded place.
Cutting method
Use softwood cuttings, preferably during the plum rain season. Use loose, clean materials such as perlite or river sand as the cutting medium. After cutting, pay attention to moisture retention and shading, and transplant once roots have formed.
Aseptic sowing method
Through tissue culture methods, sow sterilized seeds on culture medium, then place them in a culture room for cultivation until seedlings emerge for transplanting.
Medicinal dietary or medicinal value of Dendrobium orchid
The medical information and health dietary information on Huahua Network are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problems should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and treatment of any disease should follow medical advice.
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Medicinal value
Name: Shihu
Category: tonic medicine
Pinyin: SHI HU
Latin: Herba Dendrobii
Aliases: Linlan, Jinsheng, Dulan, Jinchaihua, Qiannianrun, Huangcao, Diaolanhua
Medicinal part: stem
Medicinal material traits: Fresh Shihu: cylindrical or flattened cylindrical, about 30 cm long, 0.4-1.2 cm in diameter. Surface yellow-green, smooth or with longitudinal stripes, nodes obvious, darker in color, with membranous leaf sheaths at the nodes. Fleshy, juicy, easily broken. Slight odor, slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste, sticky when chewed. Huancao Shihu: slender cylindrical, often curved or coiled into a ball, 15-35 cm long, 0.1-0.3 cm in diameter, internodes 1-2 cm long. Surface golden yellow, glossy, with fine longitudinal stripes. Texture soft, tough, and solid, fracture relatively flat. Odorless, tasteless.
Cultivation key points:
Producing areas: Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan
Harvesting and processing: Can be harvested throughout the year. For fresh use, remove roots and sand; for dry use, after harvesting, remove impurities, blanch briefly in boiling water or soften by baking, then rub while baking and sun-drying until the leaf sheaths are completely rubbed off, then dry.
After cutting off part of the fibrous roots of Tiepi Shihu, stir-fry while twisting into a spiral or spring shape, then dry. It is commonly called "erhuan Shihu."
Genuine production history: Nature, flavor, and meridians: slightly cold; sweet; enters the stomach and kidney meridians
Functions and indications: Benefits the stomach and promotes fluid production, nourishes yin and clears heat. Used for yin damage and fluid depletion, dry mouth and polydipsia, poor appetite and dry vomiting, deficiency heat after illness, and blurred vision.
Usage and dosage: Oral administration: decocted in water, 6-15 g (doubled for fresh product), better decocted for a long time; or made into paste; or used in pills or powders.
Contraindications: Those in the early stage of febrile disease whose yin has not yet been damaged, those with damp-warm disease that has not transformed into dryness, and those with spleen-stomach deficiency cold (referring to those with too little gastric acid secretion) are all prohibited from taking it.
Selected medicinal formulas
Stomach deficiency heat, insufficient fluids, dry mouth and thirst, poor appetite: Use an appropriate amount of this product alone, decoct in water and drink as tea. It has the effects of promoting fluid production, nourishing the stomach, and aiding digestion.
Consumptive wasting: Shihu, Maidong, Niuxi, Duzhong, Dangshen, Gouqizi, and Baishao 9 g each, Zhigancao and Wuweizi 6 g each. Decoct in water and take. Long-term use has health-strengthening effects.
Elderly people with high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and blurred vision: Take Shihu 30 g, Sangjisheng and Luobuma 9 g each. Decoct in water and take. It has preventive and therapeutic effects.
Gastric acid deficiency: Shihu and Xuanshen 15 g each, Baishao 9 g, Maidong and Shanzha 12 g each. Decoct in water and take, one dose daily. It has relatively good efficacy.
Yin deficiency with dim vision and blurred sight: Shihu 15 g, Shudi 15 g, Shanyao 12 g, Shanzhuyu 9 g, Gouqizi 12 g, Bai Juhua 6 g. Decoct in water and take, 1 dose daily. It has the effect of tonifying the kidney, benefiting the liver, and improving vision, and long-term use is greatly beneficial for elderly people with insufficient liver and kidney and blurred vision.
Night blindness, unable to see things at night: Shihu and Xianlingpi 30 g each, Cangzhu 15 g. Grind together into fine powder, take 6 g each time, 3 times daily.
For warm heat with sweating, wind-heat transforming into fire, febrile disease damaging fluids, and black tongue coating in warm malaria: Fresh Shihu three qian, Lianqiao (remove core) three qian, Tianhuafen two qian, fresh Shengdi four qian, Maidong (remove core) four qian, Shenye eight fen. Decoct in water and take. (From Shi Bing Lun, method for clearing heat and preserving fluids)
For middle consumptive thirst: Fresh Shihu five qian, cooked Shigao four qian, Tianhuafen three qian, Nanshashen four qian, Maidong two qian, Yuzhu four qian, Shanyao three qian, Fuling three qian, Guangpi one qian, Banxia one qian five fen. Ganzhe three liang, decoct in water as a substitute for water. (From Yi Chun Teng Yi, Qu Fan Yang Wei Tang)
For eyes that see clearly by day but are dim at night and cannot see objects, called night blindness: Shihu and Xianlingpi one liang each, Cangzhu (soaked in rice water, cut, and roasted) half a liang. The above three ingredients, pound and sieve into powder, take three qian bi each time, mixed with rice water on an empty stomach, twice daily. (From Sheng Ji Zong Lu, Shihu San)
For the divine water becoming wide and gradually dispersing, dimness as if walking in fog or dew, gradually seeing black flowers in the air, gradually seeing objects as two bodies, and with prolonged duration the light not being gathered, as well as internal obstruction with the divine water pale green or pale white: Tianmendong (roasted), Renshen, and Fuling two liang each, Wuwei (stir-fried) half a liang, Tusizi (soaked in wine) seven qian, Gan Juhua seven qian, Maimendong one liang, cooked Shudi one liang, Xingren seven qian half, Gan Shanyao and Gouqi seven qian each, Niuxi seven qian half, fresh Shengdi one liang, Jili, Shihu, Congrong, Chuanxiong, Zhicao, Zhike (bran-stir-fried), Qingxiangzi, Fangfeng, Huanglian five qian each, Caojuming eight qian, Wu Xijiao half a liang, Lingyangjiao half a liang. Make into fine powder, refine with honey into pills the size of tongzi. Take thirty or fifty pills each time, with warm wine or salt water as desired. (From Yuan Ji Qi Wei, Shihu Yeguang Wan)
Shihu San, from Sheng Ji Zong Lu: nourishes yin and improves vision; night blindness. Shihu Yeguang Wan, from Yuan Ji Qi Wei: blurred vision. Qu Fan Yang Wei Tang, from Yi Chun Teng Yi: middle consumptive thirst. Qing Re Bao Jin Fa Fang, from Shi Bing Lun: warm heat with sweating.
Medicinal effects
Shihu has a long history of medicinal use, and its medicinal components are both rich and balanced. It can treat many diseases and is mostly used clinically for the treatment or adjunctive treatment of chronic pharyngitis, gastrointestinal diseases, eye diseases, thromboangiitis obliterans, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Huoshan Shihu produced in Huoshan County, Anhui Province, is the best among Tiepi Shihu, with plump colloid, no residue after long chewing, solid size, and the best medicinal effect. However, Huoshan Shihu has harsh growing conditions and low yield, and only a few old brands like Fulimen Tiepi Shihu can buy genuine Huoshan Shihu on the market.
1. Anti-aging, improves immunity
Shihu can significantly increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, reduce lipid peroxide (LPO), regulate brain monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO)-like activity, thereby delaying aging. The Dendrobium orchid polysaccharides that have attracted much attention in recent years also have significant immune-enhancing activity and multiple effects such as anti-aging and anti-radiation. Examples include Tiepi Fengdou Jing, Shihu San, Qingyan Ning, Yichang Tang, Shihu Lu, Shihu Jing, Yangyin Oral Liquid, and Shihu Tablets. "Fengdou" or "erhuan Shihu" processed from Tiepi Shihu is called "golden earrings" or "golden Fengdou" and sells well in Southeast Asia, Europe, and America.
2. Activates blood and resolves stasis, improves cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function
Shihu contains ester components and has effects such as activating blood and resolving stasis, dilating blood vessels, and resisting platelet aggregation, and in treating thromboangiitis obliterans, cerebral thrombosis, and arteriosclerotic occlusion. Mailuoning injection, extracted and processed from Shihu, Jinyinhua, and other medicinal materials, has functions such as clearing heat and nourishing yin, and activating blood and resolving stasis.
3. Anti-tumor
Phenanthrenes and bibenzyls extracted from Shihu have effects against lung cancer, ovarian adenocarcinoma, and promyelocytic leukemia. They can promote T cell growth and the production of inhibitory factors by lymphocytes, thereby enhancing immunity. The ethyl acetate extract of Dendrobium nobile has significant cytotoxic effects on human lung cancer cells, human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells, and human promyelocytic leukemia. It has an especially strong inhibitory effect on lung cancer cells, with an inhibition rate as high as 74.7%-97.2%. Two compounds, Lusianthridin and denbinobin, isolated and identified from the crude extract of Dendrobium orchid, have the same pharmacological effects as the crude extract, and the former also has an inhibitory effect on transplanted sarcoma S-180.
4. Treats digestive system diseases
Dendrobium has an excitatory effect on the intestinal tract, increasing the amplitude of contractions. Pharmacological tests show that oral administration of a Dendrobium decoction can promote gastric juice secretion and aid digestion. Dendrobine has a similar but weaker effect than physostigmine, and Dendrobium extract can stimulate contraction of the small intestine's smooth muscle and promote gastrointestinal peristalsis. Dendrobium can achieve unique and satisfactory results for chronic atrophic gastritis.
5. Treatment of eye diseases
Dendrobium has a clear therapeutic effect on eye diseases. For galactose-induced cataracts, it not only has an inhibitory effect but also a certain therapeutic effect, with a lens preservation rate of 36.8%. In the treatment of cataracts, it has an inhibitory and corrective effect on abnormal changes in enzyme activity caused by galactose, and can also prevent or correct the imbalance in the ratio of total lipids to total cholesterol in the lens caused by galactose-induced cataracts. The traditional Chinese medicine prescription "Qingjing Powder" is composed of Dendrobium, Ophiopogon japonicus, and other ingredients. It has the effects of nourishing yin and dispersing heat, dispelling wind and clearing heat, dredging collaterals and dissipating masses, and removing nebula to improve vision. It is used in combination with pterygium excision and corneal transplantation surgery, with good results. "Shihu Yeguang Pill" is composed of 25 traditional Chinese medicinal materials including Dendrobium and ginseng, and has good efficacy in treating cataracts, glaucoma, optic neuritis, and other conditions.
6. Other effects
Dendrobium is a traditional precious Chinese medicine in China. Modern clinical medicine has confirmed that Dendrobium can inhibit the activity of Na/K-ATPase in kidney microsomes and can nourish yin and clear heat. Diabetes has gradually become the number one killer affecting human health. Modern medical research believes that Dendrobium can significantly reduce blood glucose and glucagon in diabetic model rats, increase the secretion of insulin and C-peptide, inhibit insulin degradation, improve the insulin sensitivity index, inhibit free fatty acid secretion, and significantly reduce tumor necrosis factor in obese diabetic model rats.
Modern research
[Chemical composition]
Dendrobium nobile contains 0.3% alkaloids, mainly dendrobine, nobilonine, dendramine, dendroxine, 6-hydroxydendroxine, 4-hydroxydendroxine, nobilmethylene, etc.
[Pharmacological effects]
When the concentration of Dendrobium nobile is 2.5%, it shows an excitatory effect on isolated guinea pig intestinal tracts, while Dendrobium officinale shows a clear inhibitory effect; the extract has an excitatory effect on rabbit intestinal tracts at low doses and an inhibitory effect at high doses.
Effects on the cardiovascular system: Dendrobium nobile fluid extract has an inhibitory effect on the isolated toad heart. Large doses of dendrobine can reduce myocardial contractility in rabbits and guinea pigs, lower blood pressure, and inhibit respiration.
Effects on immune function: Mice given 0.5 mg of Dendrobium nobile water decoction by gavage per mouse for 6 days showed a significant promoting effect on the function of peritoneal macrophages, but it could not improve the macrophage function decline caused by large doses of hydrocortisone. In addition, it also has anti-aging, blood glucose-raising, and weak analgesic and antipyretic effects.
[Notes]
The plant sources of commercial Dendrobium are very complex. Sometimes within the same batch of commercial medicinal material Dendrobium, there are stems of several plant species, and sometimes the same plant is processed into several different specifications and names of commercial products. Plants of the same genus such as Dendrobium hercoglossum, Dendrobium moniliforme D., and Dendrobium kwangtungense are often processed into Huancao, while in Guizhou they are processed into Huangcao; Dendrobium hercoglossum is also processed into Fengdou in Guangxi, and Dendrobium moniliforme in Zhejiang. Dendrobium lohohense is processed into Huangcao in Guizhou and Guangxi, and in Guangxi it is also processed into Mabian Dendrobium. Dendrobium aduncum is processed into Huangcao or Fengdou in Guangxi. Dendrobium demeanum is processed into Huangcao in Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Guizhou, and in Guangxi it is also processed into Mabian Dendrobium. The stems of commercial Dendrobium often retain leaf sheaths. Research has shown that among 16 crude drugs including Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium officinale, Dendrobium chrysanthum, Dendrobium fimbriatum, and Dendrobium fimbriatum, the morphological characteristics of the upper and lower epidermis of the leaf sheaths and the shapes and sizes of the contained calcium oxalate crystals differ among species.
Dendrobium chrysotoxum contains chrysotoxene, erianin, and chrysotobibenzyl, and has activity against mouse liver cancer and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Dendrobium primulinum and Dendrobium nigrohirsutum both contain chrysotoxene and erianin.
Dendrobium falconeri is called Yougua Dendrobium in Guizhou, Yunnan, and other places. It contains dendrobinol A, B, dendroquinone, and dendroside, and also contains chrysotoxene and erianin.
Pholidota yunnanensis is also called Yougua Dendrobium in Guizhou, Yunnan, and other places.
Dietary therapy value
The stems of various Dendrobium species such as the orchid herbaceous plants Dendrobium moniliforme and Dendrobium fimbriatum. Produced in Southwest China and Guangdong, Guangxi, Anhui, and other places. Mostly harvested in autumn, dried and cut into sections, or used fresh.
[Properties] Sweet in flavor, slightly cold in nature. Can nourish yin and clear heat, benefit the stomach and promote body fluid production.
[Reference] Contains alkaloids such as dendrobine, mucilage, starch, etc.
Has a certain antipyretic and analgesic effect; can promote gastric juice secretion and aid digestion; has effects such as enhancing metabolism and anti-aging.
[Uses] Used for damage to body fluids due to heat, low fever, irritability and thirst, red tongue with little coating; insufficient stomach yin, thirst and dry throat, vomiting and little food intake, dull epigastric pain, smooth tongue with little coating; insufficient kidney yin, blurred vision.
[Usage] 10-15 g per day, fresh product can be used at 30 g. Decoct in water, brew as tea, or decoct into a paste.
[Supplementary formulas]
Dendrobium and Ophiopogon Tea: 10 g each of Dendrobium, Ophiopogon japonicus, and rice sprout. Soak in boiling water and drink as tea.
This formula uses Dendrobium and Ophiopogon japonicus to nourish yin and clear heat and benefit the stomach and promote body fluid production, and rice sprout to promote digestion and harmonize the middle. Used for yin deficiency with stomach heat, vomiting and little food intake, dry throat and thirst, and smooth tongue with little coating.
Dendrobium Sugarcane Juice Drink: 30 g Dendrobium, 500 g sugarcane. Decoct Dendrobium in water and take the juice; peel the sugarcane, chop it, pound it lightly, and squeeze out the juice. Mix the two juices. Drink frequently.
This formula uses Dendrobium to nourish yin and clear heat and benefit the stomach and promote body fluid production, and sugarcane to clear heat and relieve restlessness and promote body fluid production and quench thirst. Used for damage to body fluids due to heat, vexing heat and thirst, and red tongue with little coating.
Dendrobium, Goji, and Chrysanthemum Soup: 15 g each of Dendrobium, goji berry, and Ligustrum lucidum, and 10 g chrysanthemum. Decoct in water and drink.
This formula uses Dendrobium and chrysanthemum to nourish yin and clear heat and improve vision, and goji berry and Ligustrum lucidum to nourish the liver and kidney. Used for liver-kidney yin deficiency, blurred vision, and reduced visual acuity.
Discussion by various schools
1. New Compilation of Materia Medica: Dendrobium, sweet in flavor, slightly bitter, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Do not use bamboo Dendrobium or wood Dendrobium; using them has no effect. Dendrobium calms fright and stabilizes the mind, benefits essence and strengthens yin, and is especially able to strengthen the power of the legs and knees, is good at treating impediment diseases, and lowers deficiency yin fire, with great distinctive effects. Physicians in Wu region today quite like to use it, but people throughout the world still do not fully know its functions. Dendrobium nobile grows in the rock caves of Guangdong and Fujian. Rock caves are the most yin places, while Guangdong and Fujian are also the most yang regions. It is born receiving the qi of yin and yang, so its cold nature is not cold, and it can also lower vacuous floating heat. Now, deficiency fire is ministerial fire, and ministerial fire should be supplemented, not drained. Dendrobium nobile is wonderful because it is a cold medicine, yet also has supplementing properties, and its nature also moves downward, not upward. As for ministerial fire, it easily rises and does not easily descend; when it obtains Dendrobium, it descends and no longer rises. In summer, those with weakness of both feet become stronger after taking Dendrobium. Is this not clear proof that it descends and also supplements the utmost yin? Therefore, how can using Phellodendron and Anemarrhena to drain ministerial fire compare with using Dendrobium nobile appropriately? Phellodendron and Anemarrhena drain without supplementing, while Dendrobium nobile supplements within draining. Someone may ask whether Dendrobium nobile, which lowers deficiency yin fire, is a substance that drains yin, and how it can strengthen the power of the legs and knees; its subtle meaning has not yet been fully expressed.
Someone may ask why you dislike using Phellodendron and Anemarrhena to drain fire, yet praise Dendrobium nobile? They do not know that Dendrobium nobile is not comparable to Anemarrhena and Phellodendron.
Anemarrhena and Phellodendron are very cold and directly enter the utmost yin, causing cold to enter the bone marrow. Dendrobium nobile is only slightly cold; although it enters the utmost yin, it causes cold to emerge outside the bone marrow. Each has its own distinction.
Some may suspect that saying Dendrobium nobile causes cold to emerge from the bone marrow truly expresses what have not expressed, but without evidence it is hard to believe. It is said: Dendrobium is slightly cold, so it naturally does not harm the bones. Since the bones are not harmed, the heat in the bones resolves by itself. When the heat in the bones resolves, it must disperse outward. This is inevitable in principle, and one need not have evidence before believing it.
2. Materia Medica Mengquan: Dendrobium, sweet in flavor, neutral in qi. Non-toxic. Mostly produced in Lu'an, (a prefecture name, belonging to Southern Zhili.) and also grows in Liangguang. (Guangdong, Guangxi.) The stem is small and has nodes, yellow in color and resembling gold. People often refer to Dendrobium nobile, probably also taking its appearance. There are two types, and on careful recognition they are slightly different. The one growing on stream rocks is called Dendrobium; when broken, it appears fleshy and solid inside. The one growing on oak trees is called wood Dendrobium; when broken, it is like wheat straw and hollow inside. Effective Dendrobium is hard to find, while ineffective wood Dendrobium is easy to obtain. Sellers often collect the easy-to-obtain one as a substitute, so one must guard against this. It is antagonistic to calcitum and croton, and fears white muscardine silkworm and Omphalia lapidescens. Soaking in wine and steaming makes it suitable for inclusion in prescriptions. It calms fright and stabilizes the mind, benefits essence and strengthens yin. It strengthens sinews and bones, supplements deficiency and emaciation, strengthens the legs and knees, and drives out cold impediment. It can expel pathogenic heat outside the skin and remove deficiency fire in the stomach. It thickens the intestines and stomach, lightens the body, promotes flesh growth, and lowers qi.
Dendrobium medicinal cuisine
An old saying goes, "Food is the heaven for the people," so healthy living should be based mainly on diet. The Daoist classic Daozang from the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty called Dendrobium officinale "the first of the nine great immortal herbs." Dendrobium officinale best supplements blood, essence, and body fluids, making a person's essence, qi, and spirit abundant. It has significant effects in improving human immunity, anti-aging, lowering the three highs, and preventing and treating diabetes. Using Dendrobium officinale in meals can achieve health-preserving effects. [2]
Dendrobium officinale stewed wild water duck soup
[Ingredients]: 1 old duck, 10 g Dendrobium, 25 cordyceps, 50 g lean meat.
[Preparation method]: Slaughter and clean the old duck; wash the medicinal materials; put the old duck into a clay pot, add the medicinal materials, ginger slices, scallion sections, cooking wine, and an appropriate amount of clean water in sequence, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours, add salt and chicken essence to season, and it is ready.
[Effects]: Promotes body fluid production and stops cough, benefits qi and relieves summer heat. Best taken in summer or when there is internal heat.
Dendrobium and American ginseng black chicken soup
[Ingredients]: 1 black chicken, 15 g Dendrobium officinale Fengdou, 30 g American ginseng, 15 g hawthorn; ginger slices, scallion sections, cooking wine, and appropriate amounts of salt and chicken essence.
[Preparation method]: Slaughter and clean the black chicken, cut into pieces; wash the medicinal materials; bring water to a boil in a pot, add the black chicken and cook for 5 minutes, then remove, wash, and put into a clay pot. Add ginger slices, scallion sections, cooking wine, and an appropriate amount of clean water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours, add salt and chicken essence to season, and it is ready.
[Effects]: Supplements the middle and benefits qi, promotes body fluid production, restores physical strength, and resists fatigue.
Dendrobium officinale eel soup
[Ingredients]: 500 g yellow eel, 12 g Angelica sinensis and Codonopsis pilosula, 15 g Dendrobium officinale Fengdou; 10 mL cooking wine, 12 g ginger, appropriate amounts each of garlic, vinegar, salt, soy sauce, scallion sections, monosodium glutamate, and pepper powder.
[Preparation method]: Cut the yellow eel into shreds and set aside; wash the Dendrobium officinale Fengdou, wash and shred the ginger, put Codonopsis pilosula and Angelica sinensis into a gauze bag and tie it tightly, and set aside; put the eel, Dendrobium officinale Fengdou, Chinese medicine bag, and seasonings together into a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of clean water. First bring to a boil over high heat, remove the floating foam, then simmer over low heat for one hour, remove the medicine bag, add salt and seasonings, and it is ready.
[How to eat]: Eat the fish and drink the soup. It can be eaten with meals, taken continuously for 5-7 days.
[Effects]: For gastric cancer with deficiency of both qi and blood.
Wild American ginseng stewed with Dendrobium
[Ingredients]: 6 g each of wild American ginseng and Dendrobium officinale, 4 candied dates, and an appropriate amount of lean pork or skinless chicken.
[Preparation method]: Put the above materials together into a pot, add five bowls of boiling water, and simmer over low heat for a full night, then it is ready to drink.
[Effects]: Replenishes qi and promotes body fluid production, benefits the stomach and nourishes yin.
Pearl abalone
[Ingredients]: 300 g pearl abalone, 150 g small pork ribs, 5 g Dendrobium officinale, and an appropriate amount of salt.
[Preparation method]: Remove the abalone from the shell, slaughter and clean it, and remove the dark impurities; cut the small pork ribs into pieces, blanch in boiling water, wash, and place at the bottom of a clay pot, with the abalone and Dendrobium placed on top; add salt and an appropriate amount of boiling water, and stew for about 1 hour.
[Effects]: The color and flavor are clean, fresh, sweet, and tender. It can add essence and supplement marrow, and regulate the five zang and six fu organs. It is effective for diabetes, blurred vision, night blindness, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and other conditions caused by insufficient kidney essence.
Dendrobium officinale peanut rice porridge
[Ingredients]: About 20 g fresh Dendrobium officinale, and an appropriate amount of peanut rice.
[Effects]: Nourishes yin and moistens dryness, clears heat and promotes body fluid production, [1] supplements deficiency and supports the weak. Suitable for yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach, dry throat and scant body fluids, tongue without coating, cough with little phlegm, nourishing the intestines and moistening dryness, constipation, and thin milk.
Dendrobium officinale and white fungus soup
[Ingredients]: Pure Dendrobium officinale powder, 15 g white fungus, 150 g rock sugar, 1 egg, and a little lard.
[Preparation method]: Soak the white fungus in warm water at 30-35°C for 30 minutes. After it has fully expanded, remove the stem, wash it, tear it into petal-like pieces, put it into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, first dissolve the pure Dendrobium officinale powder in warm water and add it, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 3 hours. Put the rock sugar into another pot, add water, and boil over high heat into a syrup; mix in the egg white and stir well, then skim off the foam, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the white fungus pot, and add a little lard before removing from the heat to make it more nourishing and delicious.
[Effects]: For patients with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, chronic cough due to lung deficiency, prolonged illness and weakness, neurasthenia, insomnia, and other conditions, taking it regularly over time will have clear therapeutic effects.
[Usage and precautions]: Those with spleen-stomach deficiency cold should eat less.
Precautions
During the period of taking Dendrobium, pay attention to the following points:
Maintain good sleep habits and try to avoid staying up late.
Eat less spicy or stimulating food.
Actively participate in outdoor sports and relax your mood.
Do not put too much pressure on yourself, and learn to relieve stress reasonably.
Distribution area of Dendrobium
All parts of Taiwan, north and south, are suitable for cultivation. Produced in Taiwan, Anhui (Huoshan County), southern Hubei (Yichang), Hong Kong, China, Hainan (Baisha), western to northeastern Guangxi (Baise, Pingnan, Xing'an, Jinxiu, Jingxi), southern Sichuan (Changning, Mount Emei, Leshan), southwestern to northern Guizhou (Chishui, Xishui, Luodian, Xingyi, Sandu), southeastern to northwestern Yunnan (Fumin, Shiping, Cangyuan, Mengla, Menghai, Simao, Nujiang River valley, Gongshan area), and southeastern Tibet (Medog). Grows on tree trunks in mountain forests or on valley rocks at an altitude of 480-1700 m. Distributed in India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The type specimen was collected from Yunnan (northwestern part).
Uses and purposes of Dendrobium
Cut flowers, potted plants, epiphytic cultivation, excellent ornamental plants
Variety classification of Dendrobium
There are many varieties, more than 1000 species, mainly distributed in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the low-altitude tropical forests of New Guinea, and the islands of the Pacific and other regions (Kamemoto et al., 1999).
High-quality Dendrobium is divided into: Huoshan Dendrobium, Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium officinale, and Dendrobium purple-skinned.
Huoshan Dendrobium, Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, Dendrobium phalaenopsis, and a large number of excellent hybrid varieties.
There are 1500 species worldwide. Except for a few species, all belong to the epiphytic orchid group. Before 1980, only 57 species of Dendrobium plants had been discovered in China. Later surveys discovered and named 19 species of Dendrobium plants, enriching China's Dendrobium germplasm resource bank, and there are now 76 species in total. China's Dendrobium species account for only about 5% of the world's total, but historically, their medicinal development and utilization have been at the forefront of the world, and they are important commonly used Chinese medicinal materials.
Globally, Dendrobium is mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions between 15°31′ north latitude and 25°12′ south latitude. In China, however, it is mainly distributed in areas south of 30° north latitude, with a small amount also distributed between 30-35° north latitude. China has 76 species of Dendrobium distributed.
1、Common cultivated varieties
Huoshan Dendrobium (Mount Holyoke m Hu), flowers white.
K.B. No.1, flowers white.
Big Panda No.1, flowers red.
Pink Diamond (PinkThamond), flowers pink.
Dynasty, flowers pink.
Thailand White, flowers white.
Sabin, flowers pink.
Sonia, flowers red.
White Tower, flowers white.
Madame Pompadour (MadamePompudoaur), flowers purple-red.
Caesar (Ceasai), flowers bicolored.
Zuilan has introduced a new Dendrobium variety, Stardust Chiyoni, with yellow flowers, multi-stem type, blooming in early spring.
2、Common ornamental species of the same genus
Dendrobium densiflorum, flowers golden yellow, lip orange-yellow.
Dendrobium nobile cv. Albiflorum, flowers white, center of lip dark brown.
Dendrobium superbum, flowers pale purple-red, lip purple-red.
Dendrobium secundum, flowers pale purple-red, lip orange-yellow.
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, flowers white, lip golden yellow.
Dendrobium phalaenopsis, flowers rose-red.
Compared with similar species such as Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium purple-skinned, Dendrobium copper-skinned, Dendrobium rigidum, Dendrobium grass-skinned, Dendrobium stone-skinned, and Dendrobium officinale, Huoshan Dendrobium can be said to come from a noble family, and its price is also dozens or even hundreds of times higher. Because Huoshan Dendrobium is low in quantity and high in price, it is difficult to buy on the market. Its place of origin is Huoshan County, Anhui.
Flower language of Dendrobium
Strong in character, peaceful and approachable temperament, human beauty, father's flower
Dendrobium pictures
Chinese trumpet creeper Campsis grandiflora Chinese trumpet creeper illustrated guide: how to grow Chinese trumpet creeper / how to propagate Chinese trumpet creeper
Chinese trumpet creeper profileChinese trumpet creeper Campsis grandiflora
Cultivation methods and precautions for Chinese trumpet creeper Introduction to Chinese trumpet creeper
Chinese trumpet creeper, also known as: Ziwei, Wuzhualong, Honghua daoshuilian, Daogua jindeng, Shangshulong, etc., is a plant of the Bignoniaceae family distributed in various provinces of central China. It is a deciduous vine that climbs upward on other objects by means of aerial roots. It has pinnately compound leaves, ovate leaflets with serrated edges, bright red flowers, funnel-shaped corollas, and capsular fruits. It has medicinal value and functions to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, cool blood, and dispel wind. It also has ornamental value.
Morphological characteristics of Chinese trumpet creeper
Chinese trumpet creeper is mostly shrunken and curled, yellow-brown to brownish-brown, with complete flowers 4-5 cm long. The calyx tube is bell-shaped, 2-2.5 cm long, with 5 lobes cleft to the middle, and there are 5 longitudinal ridges from the base of the calyx tube to the tip of the calyx teeth. The corolla is 5-lobed at the apex, with semicircular lobes, united below into a funnel shape; fine vein lines are visible on the surface, more obvious on the inner surface. There are 4 stamens, inserted on the corolla, 2 long and 2 short, anthers sagittate, 1 style, stigma flat. The odor is faintly fragrant, and the taste is slightly bitter and sour. The capsule is pod-like and blunt at the apex.
American trumpet creeper complete flowers are 6-7 cm long. The calyx tube is 1.5-2 cm long, hard leathery, with 5 toothed lobes at the apex, the lobes short triangular, about 1/3 the length of the calyx tube, and there are no obvious longitudinal ridges outside the calyx tube; the inner surface of the corolla has obvious dark brown vein lines.
Chinese trumpet creeper
Thin-leaved woody vine, climbing on its support by aerial roots. Stems yellow-brown with ridged reticulate cracks.
Leaves opposite, odd-pinnately compound; leaf rachis 4-3 cm long; petiolules 5-10 mm long, leaflets 7-9, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 4-6 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, apex caudate-acuminate, base broadly cuneate, unequal on both sides, margin coarsely serrate, glabrous on both sides, with pale yellow-brown tufted hairs where the petiolules are attached. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, flowers large, 4-5 cm in diameter; calyx bell-shaped, unequally 5-lobed, cleft to the middle of the tube, lobes lanceolate; corolla funnel-shaped bell-shaped, lobes 5, rounded, orange-red, spreading; stamens 4, 2 long and 2 short; ovary superior, 2-locular, with a disc at the base. Capsule long like a bean pod, with an ovary stalk; 2-valved. Seeds numerous, flat, with transparent wings. Flowering period July-September, fruiting period August-October.
American trumpet creeper
This species is morphologically similar to Campsis grandiflora, with 9-11 leaflets that are elliptical to ovate-oblong, and caudate-acuminate at the apex. The calyx splits equally into 5 lobes, the division is relatively shallow, splitting about one-third of the way, the lobes are triangular, slightly curled outward, without raised longitudinal ridges; the corolla is slender and funnel-shaped, smaller in diameter than that of Campsis grandiflora, orange-red to deep red, with obvious brown-red longitudinal stripes inside, and the tube is 3 times the length of the calyx. The flowering period is July to October, and the fruiting period is November.
Ecological Habits of Campsis grandiflora
It likes sunlight and tolerates partial shade, prefers a warm and humid climate, and is not cold-tolerant. It requires well-drained, fertile and moist soil. It is relatively tolerant of waterlogging, also tolerates drought, and has a certain tolerance to salinity and alkalinity. It can be planted in both sandy loam and clay loam; when the soil is fertile, the flowers are large and abundant, and waterlogged low-lying areas are not suitable for planting.
Cultivation Techniques of Campsis grandiflora: Potting Methods
If Campsis grandiflora is planted directly in a pot as a seedling, it grows relatively slowly. It is best to first plant it in the ground for three to four years, and after its stems and vines have grown thicker, in early spring cut it back hard leaving 40 cm, then move it into a pot with soil, or purchase a relatively thick and sturdy potted plant from a flower market. There are three methods: First, set up a trellis on the pot and guide it to grow around the trellis; the advantage is that it is easy to repot and change the soil, and easy to move and prune, while the disadvantage is that ventilation and light penetration are slightly poorer, and the inner leaves tend to turn yellow. Second, place it on an open balcony and use ropes to pull and guide it to climb upward; some stems and vines can also be allowed to hang down naturally, connecting top and bottom into one sweeping display. The disadvantage is that repotting and changing the soil are relatively difficult and require two people working together, and pruning is also relatively difficult, so attention must be paid to safety. Third, after potting, train it into a tree-stump-style or cliff-style bonsai and place it on a balcony or high shelf.
Pot Soil Selection
Potting or repotting and changing the soil every other year should preferably be done in early spring, and a layer of crushed charcoal pieces or hard plastic foam pieces should be placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate aeration and drainage and prevent root rot. The roots must not be bare; about 1/3 of the original soil should be retained, and the roots must not directly touch the base fertilizer, with a layer of plain soil required in between.
Management Measures
In early management, attention should be paid to watering; later management can be somewhat more extensive. When the plant grows to a certain size, support stakes should be set up. Before sprouting each year, appropriate thinning and pruning can be carried out, removing dead branches and overly dense branches, so that the tree shape is reasonable and conducive to growth. Before flowering, apply some compound fertilizer and compost, and carry out appropriate irrigation, so that the plant grows vigorously and blooms abundantly.
Daily Care
For potting, it is advisable to choose plants over 5 years old, keep the main trunk and cut it back to 30-40 cm, and at the same time trim the roots, retaining the main root system, so that after potting it regrows new branches. Of the new branches that sprout, keep only the upper 3-5, and cut off all the lower ones, forming an umbrella shape; control water and fertilizer, and after one year it can take shape. Set up a support frame and let it climb freely; after buds appear in summer of the following year, thin the flowers in time and apply one liquid fertilizer, and the flowers will be large and brightly colored. In winter, place it indoors above freezing to overwinter, strictly control watering, and prune before sprouting in early spring.
I. Pot Soil Selection
For potted Campsis grandiflora, it is advisable to choose a relatively deep and large earthenware pot or wooden barrel with good permeability. It likes fertile, loose, well-drained neutral or slightly acidic sandy loam; an equal mix of leaf mold and vegetable garden topsoil can be used as the growing medium.
II. Placement Environment
Campsis grandiflora likes a sunny environment and also tolerates partial shade, but plants in partial shade grow poorly, with fewer and paler flowers. Place it as far as possible in a sunny courtyard, rooftop garden, or south- or west-facing balcony, and ensure good ventilation; avoid placing it on an enclosed balcony or an open north-facing balcony.
III. Water and Fertilizer Management
Campsis grandiflora likes moisture and tolerates drought slightly, but fears waterlogging. Therefore, during the growing period it should be watered frequently, keeping the pot soil preferably slightly moist but not waterlogged. From late autumn when leaves fall until the dormant period before sprouting the following spring, the pot soil is best kept slightly dry and mildly moist.
Campsis grandiflora likes fertilizer. In addition to adding 50 g to 100 g of bone meal or nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer as base fertilizer to the growing medium when potting or repotting and changing soil, after sprouting apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer once every 10 to 15 days to promote the growth of branches and leaves; from May onward switch to a phosphorus- and potassium-based fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation and bud formation; from June onward spray a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution onto the leaves once every 7 to 10 days to promote large and brightly colored flowers. After flowering, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once or twice more to facilitate overwintering. Do not fertilize in winter.
IV. Pruning
In early spring, cut off dead branches, thin and weak branches, overly dense branches, and branches in poor growing positions, and shorten overly long branches to promote the sprouting of robust side branches; this lays the foundation for flowering, and after flowering the overly long stems and vines should also be shortened.
Propagation Methods of Campsis grandiflora
Campsis grandiflora does not easily set fruit, and it is very difficult to obtain seeds, so propagation mainly uses cuttings and layering.
① Cutting Propagation
In the south it is mostly done in spring, and in the north mostly in autumn; in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River it is suitable to do in April-May, with a very high survival rate. The method is to select healthy branches free of pests and diseases, cut them into 10-15 cm small sections and insert them into the soil; they will take root in about 20 days.
② Layering Propagation
Campsis grandiflora has aerial roots on its stems, and the layering propagation method is relatively simple. It can be done in spring, summer, and autumn; after about 50 days, once roots have formed and it has survived, it can be cut off and transplanted.
Disease and Pest Control of Campsis grandiflora
During periods of high temperature and high humidity, Campsis grandiflora is susceptible to aphid damage. Once discovered, promptly spray 40% dimethoate 800-500 times dilution for control. Campsis grandiflora has relatively few diseases and pests, but attention should still be paid to timely control.
Main Diseases and Pests and Their Control:
Leaf spot disease and powdery mildew: can be sprayed with 50% carbendazim wettable powder 1500 times dilution.
Whiteflies and scale insects: often occur during the growing period, and can be killed by spraying 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1200 times dilution.
Aphids: during dry spring and autumn and periods of high temperature and high humidity, they are likely to cause damage. Once discovered, promptly spray 40% dimethoate 500-800 times dilution for control.
Management Points: Campsis grandiflora likes fertilizer and moisture. Early management should pay attention to watering, and later management can be somewhat more extensive. After sprouting in spring, strengthen water and fertilizer management, and carry out appropriate thinning and pruning, removing dead branches and overly dense branches, so that the tree shape is reasonable and conducive to growth; generally apply liquid fertilizer 1-2 times per month. When the plant grows to a certain size, support stakes should be set up, and a support frame should be set up to let it climb freely. Before flowering, apply some compound fertilizer and compost, and carry out appropriate irrigation, so that the plant grows vigorously and blooms abundantly; after buds appear in summer, thin the flowers in time and apply one liquid fertilizer, and the flowers will be large and brightly colored. Before sprouting each year, for potting it is advisable to choose plants over 5 years old, keep the main trunk and cut it back to 30-40 cm, and at the same time trim the roots, retaining the main root system, so that after potting it regrows new branches; of the new branches that sprout, keep only the upper 3-5, and cut off all the lower ones, forming an umbrella shape; control water and fertilizer, and after one year it can take shape.
Distribution Range of Campsis grandiflora
It is distributed in mainland China in Guangxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Guangdong, Hebei, Fujian, Shandong, the Yangtze River basin, and other places, as well as in Taiwan, China, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, and Japan. It grows in areas at altitudes of 400 m to 1,200 m, and is cultivated artificially for medicinal and ornamental use.
Medicinal or Dietary Therapeutic Value of Campsis grandiflora
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Medicinal Value
It has the functions of promoting qi and removing blood stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind. Main indications: abdominal masses and amenorrhea in women, postpartum blood stasis with pain, blood heat generating wind, wind pain with body itching and wind-stasis redness, and acne. Pharmacological research shows it has a certain therapeutic effect on gynecological cancers and other conditions.
Documentary Record One
[Nature, Flavor, and Meridian Entry] Sweet, sour, cold. Enters the liver and pericardium meridians.
Functions and Indications
[Functions and Indications] Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, cools the blood and dispels wind. Used for amenorrhea and abdominal masses, postpartum breast swelling, red rubella, skin itching, and acne.
[Caution] Use with caution in pregnant women.
[Identification] (1) The powder of this product is yellow-brown. Pollen grains are subrounded, 24-31 μm in diameter, with 3 colporate apertures, and the surface has extremely fine and dense reticulate sculpturing. Glandular hairs are pale yellow or yellow-brown, with heads flattened-round, subrounded, or oblong; in side view the cells appear palisade-like in 1-2 layers, with a stalk of 1-3 cells. Corolla epidermal cells are polygonal, with spiral vessels. (2) Take about 0.5 g of the powder of this product, add 15 ml of petroleum ether (60-90°C), treat with ultrasound for 15 minutes, filter, discard the filtrate, add 15 ml of methanol to the residue, treat with ultrasound for 15 minutes, filter, evaporate the filtrate to dryness, add 1 ml of methanol to the residue to dissolve it, and use this as the test solution. Separately take 0.5 g of Campsis grandiflora reference medicinal material and prepare a reference medicinal material solution by the same method. Carry out the test according to the thin-layer chromatography method (Appendix VI B), draw 1 μl each of the above two solutions and spot them separately on the same silica gel G thin-layer plate with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as the binder, use chloroform-methanol (9:1) as the developing solvent, develop, remove, dry, and place in iodine vapor until the spots are clearly colored. In the chromatogram of the test solution, spots of the same color appear at positions corresponding to those in the chromatogram of the reference medicinal material.
Documentary Record Two
[Nature, Flavor, and Meridian Entry]
Flower: sweet, sour, cold. Enters the liver and pericardium meridians.
Root: bitter, cool.
[Functions and Indications] Flower: cools the blood, transforms stasis, dispels wind. Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, cools the blood and dispels wind. Used for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and abdominal masses, postpartum breast swelling, red rubella, skin itching, and acne. Root: invigorates blood and disperses stasis, resolves toxins and reduces swelling. Used for wind-dampness arthralgia, traumatic injuries, fractures, dislocations, and acute gastroenteritis.
[Usage and Dosage] Flower 5-9 g; root 0.3-1 liang; for external use, an appropriate amount of fresh root, pounded and applied to the affected area.
[Caution] Use with caution in pregnant women.
[Storage] Keep in a ventilated and dry place, and protect from moisture.
[Excerpt] Chinese Pharmacopoeia
[Efficacy Classification] Blood-activating and menstruation-regulating medicine
[Medicinal Material Source] It is the flower of the Bignoniaceae plant Campsis grandiflora.
Medicinal Source Distribution
Distribution of animal and plant resources: distributed throughout both northern and southern parts of China.
Mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other places. Ecological environment of animals and plants: grows in dry valleys, by streams, under sparse forests, or climbs on trees or stone walls, or is cultivated.
Cultivation of medicinal animals and plants: 1. Climate and soil: likes a warm and humid environment. It has no strict requirements for soil, and can grow in both sandy loam and clay loam. 2. Planting: 2.1. Cutting propagation can be carried out in spring or the rainy season; in the Beijing area it is suitable in July-August. Cut relatively firm and thick branches, each section 10-16 cm long, and insert them into a sand bed, covering the top with glass to maintain sufficient temperature and humidity. Generally at a temperature of 23-28°C, roots can form 20 days after insertion, and by the following spring they can be moved into the field, with a row spacing of 60 cm and a plant spacing of 30-40 cm. In warm southern regions, in spring the new shoots from the previous year can be cut off and inserted directly at the edge of the field, and they will take root and survive. 2.2. Layering propagation: in July, pull thick vines to the ground, bury them in sections with soil, exposing the bud tips, keep the soil moist, and after about 50 days they will take root; after rooting, cut them off and transplant. In the south, layering can also be done in spring. 2.3. Root division propagation: best done in early spring, that is, dig up the small seedlings growing from root buds near the mother plant and plant them. 3. Field management: newly planted seedlings need attention to watering, loosening the soil, and weeding; in mid-May or early June, fertilizer can be applied once to increase flower yield.
Medicinal Selected Prescriptions
① To treat women and unmarried women with blocked menstruation, pain in the umbilical and abdominal region, and all blood disorders: Campsis grandiflora 2 liang, Angelica sinensis and ? (Curcuma zedoaria) 1 liang each. Grind the above into a fine powder. Take 2 qian mixed with cold wine on an empty stomach; after about the time it takes to walk ten li, take another dose mixed with hot wine. (Ziling Powder from Jifeng Puji Fang)
② To treat amenorrhea in women: make Campsis grandiflora into a powder. Take 2 qian each time, taken with warm wine before meals. (Xu's Obstetrics and Childbirth Formula)
③ To treat uterine bleeding and dripping blood: Campsis grandiflora powder, take one square-inch spoonful with warm wine, three times a day. (Guangli Formula)
④ To treat generalized itching: make Campsis grandiflora into a powder, take 1 qian mixed with wine. (Yixue Zhengzhuan)
⑤ To treat damp skin tinea: equal amounts of Campsis grandiflora and Rumex japonicus root, add an appropriate amount of calcined alum, grind into a powder and apply to the affected area. (Shanghai Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines)
⑥ To treat wind-heat in the lungs with sores in the nose: Campsis grandiflora half a liang (made into powder), sulfur 1 liang (ground separately), lead oxide powder 1 qian, walnut 4 pieces (shelled). First mix the first three ingredients evenly, then add the walnut meat and grind together into a paste; dip raw silk in the medicine and frequently wipe it on. (Ziling Powder from Yang's Family Stored Formulas)
⑦ To treat rosacea: 1. Campsis grandiflora and Gardenia jasminoides. Grind the above in equal parts into a fine powder. Take 2 qian each time, taken with tea after meals, twice a day. (Baiyi Xuanfang) 2. Grind Campsis grandiflora into a powder, mix with litharge powder, and apply. (Lingnan Collection of Herbal Medicines)
⑧ To treat epilepsy: Campsis grandiflora, made into a fine powder. Take 3 qian each time, mixed with warm wine, taken on an empty stomach. (Chuanxin Shiyong Wan)
⑨ To treat bleeding after defecation: Campsis grandiflora, soaked in wine and drunk. (Zhejiang Folk Herbal Medicines) ⑩ To treat poisoning from accidental ingestion of herbs: each time steam Campsis grandiflora together with black beans until cooked, pick out the flowers, and eat only 3 to 5 black beans. (Lüchanyan Materia Medica)
Practical Proven Prescriptions
1. To treat blood stasis obstruction with cessation of menstruation, fever, and abdominal distension: Campsis grandiflora 9 g, Radix Paeoniae Rubra 15 g, Moutan cortex 9 g, Carthamus tinctorius 6 g, peach
kernel 9 g, Angelica sinensis 10 g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
2. To treat chronic malaria with spleen enlargement and hepatosplenomegaly: Campsis grandiflora 9 g, ground beetle 9 g, turtle shell 10 g, rhubarb 10 g, Carthamus tinctorius 6 g, peach kernel 9 g, Angelica sinensis 10 g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
3. To treat generalized itching due to blood heat and abundant wind: Campsis grandiflora 9 g can be used alone, decocted in water; or used as a powder taken with wine; or Campsis grandiflora 9 g, Rehmannia raw 30 g, Radix Paeoniae Rubra 10 g, Angelica tail 9 g, Cortex Dictamni 10 g, Schizonepeta 9 g, Saposhnikovia 9 g, licorice 6 g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
4. To treat damp skin tinea: Campsis grandiflora 9 g, realgar 9 g, white alum 9 g, Coptis chinensis 10 g, Rumex japonicus root 10 g, Arisaema 10 g. Grind into a fine powder, mix evenly with water and apply externally to the affected area, 3 times a day.
Clinical Applications
1. Gastroenteritis: Campsis grandiflora root 30 g, ginger 3 g, decoct in water.
2. Amenorrhea with abdominal pain: Campsis grandiflora 30 g, stir-fried and ground into a fine powder, taken with warm wine before meals, 10 g each time; Campsis grandiflora 5 g, Chinese rose 10 g, Carthamus tinctorius 15 g, decoct in water.
3. Dysmenorrhea: Campsis grandiflora and Evodia rutaecarpa 5 g each, decoct in water.
4. Uterine bleeding: Campsis grandiflora 30 g, black beans 250 g, add water and soak for half a day, cook over low heat until the liquid is dry, pick out the black beans and dry them in the sun, then stir-fry them in a pot until crisp; eat 50 g of black beans daily for 1 week; Campsis grandiflora appropriate amount, ground into a fine powder, taken with warm yellow wine, 2 times a day, 6 g each time.
5. Excessive leukorrhea: appropriate amounts of Campsis grandiflora root and Vitis amurensis root, stewed with chicken and eaten.
6. Bleeding after defecation: Campsis grandiflora 60 g, soaked for 7 days in 500 g of low-degree white liquor, taken 2-3 times a day, 50 ml each time.
7. Rheumatic pain: Campsis grandiflora root 15 g, decoct in water to obtain the liquid, add appropriate amounts of sugar and yellow wine, taken before breakfast and dinner.
8. Hemorrhoid bleeding: Campsis grandiflora appropriate amount, ground into a fine powder, taken on an empty stomach with glutinous rice soup, 3 times a day, 5 g each time.
9. Traumatic injuries: appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, pounded and applied to the affected area; Campsis grandiflora 10 g, Impatiens balsamina 15 g, yellow wine 50 ml, add water and boil three to five times, take the juice and drink it, and at the same time pound the residue and apply it to the affected area.
10. Skin itching: appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, ground into a fine powder, taken with half wine and half water, 6 g each time; Campsis grandiflora 10 g, cicada slough 5 g, yellow wine 1 cup, add an appropriate amount of water, decoct until boiling, take the juice and drink it.
11. Erosive athlete's foot: pound fresh Campsis grandiflora, take the juice and rub it on the affected area.
12. Fire carbuncle: Campsis grandiflora 10 g, cockroach 2, pound together and apply to the affected area.
13. Scald and burns: appropriate amounts of Campsis grandiflora root and fresh wintergreen leaves, pound and extract the juice, mix evenly with sesame oil and apply to the affected area.
14. Blood stasis amenorrhea, abdominal masses and accumulations, and traumatic injuries. This product is pungent and dispersing in moving blood, and can break blood stasis, free the meridians, disperse abdominal masses, and reduce swelling and pain. To treat blood stasis amenorrhea, it can be used with Angelica sinensis, Carthamus tinctorius, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, etc., such as Ziling Powder (Gynecological Jade Measure);
to treat blood stasis abdominal masses and accumulations, it can be used with turtle shell, Moutan cortex, etc., such as Turtle Shell Decocted Pill (Jingui Yaolüe); to treat traumatic injuries, it can be used alone pounded and applied, or used with frankincense, myrrh, etc.
15. Rubella, skin tinea, skin itching, acne. This product is cold in nature and drains heat, cools the blood and dispels wind, and is suitable for those with heat in the blood aspect. To treat generalized itching, Yixue Zhengzhuan uses only this product as a powder, taken mixed with wine, and it can also be used with Rehmannia raw, Moutan cortex, Tribulus terrestris, etc.; to treat rubella and skin tinea, it is made into a powder with realgar, Coptis chinensis, Arisaema, etc., and applied externally, such as Campsis grandiflora Powder (Zhengzhi Zhunsheng).
16. Bloody stool and uterine bleeding. This product is cold in nature, clears heat, cools the blood and stops bleeding. For bloody stool and uterine bleeding due to blood heat, it can be used alone as a powder taken with water, or used with Sanguisorba officinalis, Sophora japonica flower, Rehmannia raw, etc. [2]
Medicinal Material Identification
(1) Campsis grandiflora flower: the flowers are mostly shrunken and curled; the complete ones are 3-5.5 cm long; the calyx is bell-shaped, about 2 cm long,
brown or brown, thin in texture, with unequal 5 deep lobes at the apex, the lobes triangular-lanceolate, and the calyx tube surface has 10 longitudinal veins, of which 5 are obvious; the corolla is yellow-brown or brown, and when complete and intact, after flattening, 5 lobes can be seen at the apex, the lobes semicircular, the lower part united into a funnel shape, with fine vein lines visible on the surface, more obvious on the inner surface; epipetalous stamens, didynamous, anthers in a "ge" shape, black-brown; style 1, stigma round-triangular. Slight fragrant odor, slightly bitter and sour taste.
(2) Campsis radicans flower: complete flowers 6-7 cm long; the calyx is relatively short, about 1/3 of the corolla, yellow-brown or pale purplish-red, hard leathery, with equal 5 lobes at the apex, and the calyx tube has no obvious longitudinal vein ridges; the corolla is yellow-brown, 5.8-6.5 cm long, with dark brown vein lines on the inner surface; the stigma is flattened-short-triangular. The rest is the same as Campsis grandiflora. In all cases, those that are complete, with large flowers, yellow-brown in color, and without pedicels are considered superior.
Microscopic Identification: Flower Surface View:
(1) The inner and outer surfaces of the Campsis grandiflora calyx have glandular hairs; the glandular heads are flattened-round or subrounded, slightly flat at the top, composed of more than 10-40 cells, 39-90 μm in diameter, containing yellow secretions and oil droplets; the glandular stalk is extremely short, 1-2 cells. The epidermal cells around the glandular hairs are flat, with radial cuticular striations on the surrounding walls. Stomata are anomocytic. The edges of the calyx lobes have a few non-glandular hairs, composed of 1-7 cells, 43-200 μm long, 15-19 μm in diameter, with rounded-obtuse apex, and the surface has linear cuticular striations. The corolla has only a few non-glandular hairs and glandular hairs on the lobe edges, with the same characteristics as the calyx.
(2) The glandular heads of the glandular hairs on the outer surface of the Campsis radicans calyx have 50-80 cells, 39-58 μm in diameter; the glandular stalks are mostly single-celled, rarely 2-10-celled; the epidermal cells at the base of the glandular hairs often protrude outward. The edges of the calyx lobes have a few non-glandular hairs, 1-6-23 cells. The rest is the same as Campsis grandiflora. On the outer surface of the corolla, there are non-glandular hairs on the lobe edges, 1-5 cells, 55-300 μm long, 16-36 μm in diameter. On the inner surface there are numerous glandular hairs, with glandular heads of more than 7-60 cells, 86-146 μm in diameter; the lobe edges have non-; the lobe edges have non-glandular hairs of 1-15 cells. The rest is the same as Campsis grandiflora.
Documentary References
1. Shennong Bencao: "Mainly treats women's residual postpartum ailments, uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood blockage, and cold-heat emaciation."
2. Diannan Bencao: "Dispels skin itching, eliminates wind and resolves heat."
3. Bencao Gangmu: "Campsis grandiflora flower and root, ... are medicines of the hand jueyin and foot jueyin meridians, and can remove hidden fire in the blood, so they mainly treat postpartum, lactation, uterine bleeding, and other diseases, as well as syndromes of blood heat generating wind."
[Key Identification Points]
Campsis grandiflora flower and the adulterant Paulownia flower are extremely similar in shape. The main differences are that Campsis grandiflora flower generally has a calyx tube, with a slight fragrant odor and a slightly sour and bitter taste, while Paulownia flower mostly has a fallen calyx tube, with a slight odor and a bland taste. These can be used to distinguish them.
[Identification in Famous Classics]
1. Shennong Bencao Jing: "Ziling grows in river valleys."
2. Liang Dynasty, Mingyi Bielu: "Ziling grows in the river valleys of the Western Sea and in Shanyang."
3. Tang Dynasty, Su Gong said: "This is Campsis grandiflora flower, used together with stems and leaves."
4. Song Dynasty, Su Song said: "Now it is found everywhere, mostly growing in mountains, and people also plant it in gardens. It initially grows as a vine, relying on large trees, and over time extends to the top. Its flowers are yellow-red, flourishing in midsummer. Nowadays physicians mostly collect the flowers and dry them for use in gynecological medicine."
5. Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen said: "Campsis grandiflora grows wild; the vine is only a few chi, but when it obtains a tree and climbs up, it reaches several zhang in height, and in old plants the vine is as large as a cup. In early spring it produces branches, each branch with several leaves, pointed and long with teeth, deep green. From summer to autumn it flowers, each branch with more than ten flowers, as large as morning glory flowers, with five petals opening at the head, ochre-yellow, with fine dots, and turning even redder in late autumn. In August it forms pods like bean pods, about three cun long, and its seeds are light and thin like elm seeds and Aristolochia seeds. Collect them after autumn and dry them in the shade."
6. Qing Dynasty, Bencao Congxin: "Ziling flower is also called Campsis grandiflora flower. The flower opens with five petals, yellow-red with dots."
Documentary Discussion
1. Bencao Yanyi Buyi: Campsis grandiflora flower is an important medicine for treating pain in the blood, and it is extremely rapid in supplementing yin. It has a guarding action and yet acts alone; why is it often used in women's formulas?
2. Gangmu: Campsis grandiflora flower and root are sweet and sour and cold; the stems and leaves are bitter, act in the blood aspect, and can remove hidden fire in the blood, so they mainly treat postpartum, lactation, uterine bleeding, and other diseases, as well as syndromes of blood heat generating wind.
3. Bencao Jingshu: Ziling is a drastic medicine that enters the liver and moves blood, so it mainly treats women's residual postpartum ailments, as well as uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood blockage with heat, emaciation, and other syndromes; as for nourishing the fetus, this is by no means suited to its nature, and those who use it should be cautious.
4. Bencao Shu: The qi of Ziling is cold, and its flavor is first sour and dominant, then bitter and reducing. It is known without doubt to enter the blood and dissipate heat binds. Danxi said it supplements yin very rapidly; in Pinhu it is also said to enter the blood aspect and remove hidden fire, so it is certainly not specialized only in free movement. If Miao Xiyong regarded it as a drastic blood-moving medicine, perhaps he also based this on what the Bencao says about treating abdominal tumors and freeing blood blockage? Rihua Zi says it treats heat-toxin wind, which means transforming heat-toxin wind, namely the heat stagnating in the blood transforming into toxin wind. Although its nature mainly moves, it must first be able to supplement yin before it can eliminate heat-toxin wind; this is movement serving as supplementation. If one suspects it can only move blood, then consider why this flavor is again contraindicated with brine salt? Because eating too much salt can injure the blood, and what fears blood injury must not be a drastic blood-moving medicine. Danxi said it has a guarding action and can act alone; how could this be mere speculation?
5. "Bencao Chongyuan": Trumpet creeper (Campsis grandiflora) is used in recent times as a medicine to promote menstruation and induce abortion. In Zhang Zhongjing's Biejia Jian Wan, trumpet creeper is also used to dissolve abdominal masses. It is certainly not a fetal-calming substance; the two characters "nourishing the fetus" in the "Shennong Bencao Jing" should be an error for "aborting the fetus."
traces, it is certainly not a substance for calming the fetus; the two characters "nourishing the fetus" in the Classic of Materia Medica must be a corruption of "aborting the fetus."
6. "Bencao Fengyuan": Trumpet creeper flower is often used for forehead pain with blood blockage, pricking pain of blood and qi, severe wind and malignant sores, all taking advantage of its function of dispersing stagnant blood.
7. "Bencao Qiuzhen": Whenever fire lurks within the blood, manifesting as yang binding with blood blockage, wind itch, flooding and leukorrhea, and bearing-down pain, all conditions caused by blood wind and blood heat, this (trumpet creeper flower) should be used to regulate and treat them, because it specifically governs the clearing of heat, and once the heat is gone the blood naturally becomes vital. Therefore, in medicines for lung abscess, it is often used as the chief ingredient. When used during pregnancy it can secure the pregnancy, because if there is wind accumulation within, once the wind is dispelled the fetus is settled. The saying that pregnant women should avoid taking it means that when there is no wind-blood condition, reckless use may cause other problems. This is an essential medicine in gynecology, but it should be applied according to the pattern of the disease.
8. "Bencao Zhengyi": Wu Pu says that for the flower of trumpet creeper, Shennong, Lei Gong, and Jun Bo all used it as a chief ingredient; Bian Que described it as bitter and salty, eliminating eye film and clearing heat from the blood aspect, so it can invigorate blood and move stagnation, and can also treat leukorrhea and flooding. The "Shennong Bencao Jing" specifically governs lingering postpartum disorders of women in childbirth and nursing, precisely because at the time of first giving birth and nursing, the yin blood is already deficient and the solitary yang is relatively exuberant, making this sour, salty, slightly cold substance most suitable, entering directly into the blood aspect, thereby protecting the already depleted original yin and gathering in the floating scattered flame. This shows that the ancients, in treating postpartum conditions, all took supporting yin and suppressing yang as the main principle, which is exactly the opposite of the vulgar modern view that recklessly uses warm tonics after childbirth, which depletes and scorches the yin fluids. As for treating flooding, this refers specifically to flooding caused by hyperactive yang running wild and unable to restrain itself, not to say that it can generally treat blood deficiency with inability to hold and collapse. As for blood blockage with masses, this is also spoken of in terms of blood heat being too excessive, scorching and congealing into masses, and it is clear that it is not the binding pain and blockage of yin-cold congelation.
9. "Shennong Bencao Jing": "Governs lingering postpartum disorders of women in childbirth and nursing, flooding, abdominal masses, blood blockage, cold and heat with emaciation."
10. "Diannan Bencao": "Dispels skin itching, eliminates wind and releases heat.
The effects and uses of trumpet creeper: ornamental value
Trumpet creeper is one of the famous garden flowers. Its flowers are funnel-shaped, bright red or golden yellow, with vivid colors. When it blooms, the tips of the branches continue to spread and grow, and the new shoots bloom in succession, so the flowering period is relatively long. Trumpet creeper is a vine plant that likes to climb, and it is an excellent plant for greening in courtyards. With thin bamboo supports it can be trained into various patterns, very practical and beautiful. It can also be shaped into a hanging bonsai, or used to decorate windowsills and drying platforms.
The cultural background and legends of trumpet creeper
Soft branches and slender tendrils, according to legend, in a mountain village called Longdi in western Fujian, there lived a landlord surnamed Dong, who had a daughter named Lingxiao, born as beautiful as a flower and jade, and also able to recite poetry and paint.
As the daughter grew up, the landlord Dong and his wife discussed finding her a matching family, and entrusted relatives and friends to search everywhere for a suitor. But how could they know that their daughter Lingxiao had long since deeply fallen in love with the young, handsome, hardworking and kind long-term laborer Liu Mingquan! The kind girl Lingxiao often secretly gave delicious food to Liu Mingquan behind her parents' backs, and quietly sewed new clothes for him. The two vowed by mountains and seas to be together in life and death.
This matter was discovered by the landlord and his wife. The landlord was furious and ordered the servants to beat Liu Mingquan severely, then threw him into the desolate wilderness. Before dawn, Liu Mingquan had stopped breathing. The next day, the villagers buried Liu Mingquan by the small river outside the village. Within a few days, a miraculous thing happened: on Liu Mingquan's grave grew a large willow tree with lush branches and leaves, its lingering slender willow branches fluttering in the wind like strings of teardrops.
Because Lingxiao violated family rules, she was imprisoned by landlord Dong. Day and night she neither ate nor drank, longing for Liu Mingquan, and within a few days she became haggard. One day, a maid secretly told Lingxiao that Liu Mingquan had been dead for more than ten days. At this, Lingxiao, as if gone mad, rushed out of the house, ran to Liu Mingquan's grave, bowed three times, and then suddenly dashed her head against the large willow tree, instantly turning into a woody vine. The vine twined around the willow trunk and climbed upward, growing thicker as it climbed, and in a short while it had grown together with the willow tree, its branch tips covered with red flowers.
Later, people discovered that the flower transformed from the girl Lingxiao could cure rheumatism, arthritis, traumatic injuries, and uterine bleeding and other diseases. From then on, to commemorate the girl Lingxiao, people named this Chinese herbal medicine "Lingxiao flower," and it has been used to this day. [3]
Literary appreciation
Oak "To the Oak"
If I love you -- I will never learn from the climbing trumpet creeper, showing off myself by borrowing your high branches;
If I love you -- I will never learn from the infatuated bird, repeating a monotonous song for the green shade;
Nor merely like a spring, bringing cool comfort all year round; nor merely like a perilous peak,
Increasing your height, setting off your majesty. Even sunlight / even spring rain
No, these are all not enough, I must be a kapok beside you,
Standing with you as the image of a tree. Roots, clasped underground;
Leaves, touching in the clouds. Each time the wind blows past, we salute each other,
But no one understands our speech. You have your copper branches and iron trunk,
Like knives, like swords, and like halberds; I have my red and abundant flowers, like heavy sighs,
And like brave torches. We share the cold tide, wind, thunder and lightning;
We share the mist, drifting mist and rainbow; as if forever separated, yet leaning on each other for life
This is great love, steadfastness lies here. Love, not only loves your towering body,
But also loves the position you hold, the land beneath your feet.
The flower language of trumpet creeper
Trumpet creeper has strong adaptability, with aerial roots growing between the branches, by which it climbs rocks, walls or tree trunks to grow upward, and is mostly planted at the foot of walls, beside trees, and along bamboo fences. From the fifth lunar month to the end of autumn each year, green leaves cover the wall [trellis] and flower branches stretch out, clusters of orange-red trumpet flowers dotted on the branch tips, dancing in the wind, especially delightful.
Trumpet creeper symbolizes motherly love, and is often placed together with holly and primrose, tied into a bouquet and given to mothers to express deep love for them.
Trumpet creeper pictures